BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS

Angel reliever Joe Grahe, who always has wanted to return to the starting rotation, might receive his wish, Manager Marcel Lachemann said. In fact, if Phil Leftwich (sore shoulder) had been unable to pitch on the side Thursday in preparation for his Sunday start, Grahe would have replaced him.

“Deep down, it’s something I’ve always wanted to try again,” Grahe said. “If it didn’t work out, I could put it to rest, but I would like to try it.”

Grahe last started in 1992 before becoming the Angels’ stopper when Bryan Harvey went on the disabled list. He has saved 13 games in 19 opportunities, but has lost his role as closer to Mark Leiter.

“Obviously, I haven’t contributed to the team the way I’ve wanted to,” Grahe said. “Maybe I can contribute better this way.”