BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Wild Thing Is Released Thing

Left-handed reliever Mitch Williams, 1-2 with a 6.75 earned-run average in 20 games, was released before Saturday night’s game.

Williams, who saved 43 games for Philadelphia in 1993 but was released by Houston in May of 1994, lived up to his “Wild Thing” nickname with the Angels. He walked 21 batters in 10 2/3 innings. Of the 20 runners he inherited, 10 scored.

The move was not unexpected, and Williams said last week that he wouldn’t go to the minors and would “probably retire,” if the Angels released him. “This team is in first place and I’ve done nothing but hold them back,” he said. “If this is not good enough, it’s not good enough.”

Williams, who will earn $500,000 this year, is the second left-hander to be released by the Angels. They are paying Joe Magrane $1.5 million.

Williams’ release opens a spot on the roster for left-hander Brian Anderson, who will be activated from the disabled list and start Tuesday night’s game against Kansas City. It also means Bob Patterson is the only left-hander in the bullpen.

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Catcher Greg Myers, on the disabled list because of a strained quadriceps, worked out Saturday afternoon with running consultant Kevin McNair, a former UC Irvine track coach.

Myers will go through a light workout today and could be activated by the middle of this week.

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Tony Phillips, originally scheduled to lead off and play left field, was a late scratch from the lineup because of flu. . . . Mark Langston hit White Sox left fielder Norberto Martin in the helmet in the sixth inning. It was the first batter Langston had hit in 437 innings, since opening day in 1993. . . . Catcher Andy Allanson, recovering from a cut on the back of his left hand, will accompany the Angels on their upcoming 10-day trip. Pitcher Scott Sanderson, on the DL because of a herniated disk, will not.