BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Edmonds Is Given Scare of His Life

Angel outfielder Jim Edmonds was never so scared in his life, lying motionless on the ground Tuesday while a hush fell over Yankee Stadium.

He was running to first base in the second inning when an errant throw by Yankee shortstop Mike Gallego hit him flush in the neck, just below the left ear. He never lost consciousness, but that’s what made it so frightening.

He couldn’t move. He could not even feel his legs.

“I remember my legs going numb,” Edmonds said. “That’s when I knew I was in trouble. I was hoping I could walk away, but it was like all of the life had gone out of me.

“When they took me away in the ambulance, that was the worst ride of my life.”

Edmonds, carried off the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace, was rushed to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Two sets of X-rays of were taken and doctors told Edmonds he was extremely fortunate. It was only a deep bruise.

He can walk again. He can play again.

“I don’t remember too much after I got hit,” Edmonds said. “But I’m OK. I’m a little groggy right now, but I’ll be ready to go (Wednesday). I don’t want to sit out any longer than I have to.”

Said Angel Manager Buck Rodgers: “That was terrifying, to say the least. He gave us all a pretty good scare.”

*

Veteran Bob Melvin turned down the Angels’ contract offer to be their triple-A Vancouver catcher, according to agent Doug Baldwin. The Angels, who will be without catcher Greg Myers until June after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, want a veteran catcher in reserve at Vancouver.

They now will explore the possibility of acquiring either Greg Olson, 33, or Geno Petralli, 34.

Melvin, meanwhile, might soon be joining the Yankees. Catcher Matt Nokes, who hit a grand slam Monday night against the Angels, was diagnosed Tuesday with a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He will be out six to eight weeks.

*

Reliever Ken Patterson, who was diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his left elbow, will be placed on the disabled list today. John Farrell, according to Rodgers, probably will replace Patterson in the bullpen.

The Angels also are expected to recall starter Joe Magrane after his scheduled start April 30 for Vancouver. Magrane, who’s on a rehabilitative assignment, gave up nine hits and two runs in seven innings Monday in Vancouver’s 5-3 victory over Tucson.

He is expected to make his debut for the Angels in their four-game series May 5-8 against Oakland.