BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Team Gets Some Positive Medical News

The Angels received good news on the medical front when X-rays of J.T. Snow’s knee and Chuck Finley’s heel were negative.

Snow, who banged his right knee against a fence in Toronto while chasing a pop fly, took ground balls and batting practice before Friday’s game and was fine until he fouled a ball off his foot. He left the field cursing, but after an ice pack was applied in the training room, he was in the lineup.

Trainer Ned Bergert said Finley, who was struck in the right heel by a line drive, received only a bruise. Finley is expected to make his next start Tuesday night against Cleveland.

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Infielder Carlos Martinez was put on waivers Friday to make room on the roster for Mike Harkey, Friday night’s starting pitcher. Martinez, 29, was signed as a minor league free agent in December and began the season with triple-A Vancouver.

Martinez, who batted .180 in 26 games with the Angels, said he would be happy to go back to Vancouver if he is not claimed by another major league club. General Manager Bill Bavasi said, “We’d like him to come back with us,” even though Martinez would not be eligible to be called up by the Angels for 30 days.

“I’m very comfortable here with these guys,” Martinez said. “I understand this is part of the game. They needed a spot on the roster and I haven’t played much. It’s OK.

“Triple-A baseball, there’s no competition, but I would go there to get my at-bats, work on my defense and keep in shape. Then maybe they would call me back up in September.”

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What must the Angels do to maintain their grip on first place?

“We have to keep the level of intensity up,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “And part of that is making sure the players get a rest every now and then. With [Gary] DiSarcina, [Tony] Phillips, Snow, [Jim] Edmonds, it’s tough. The temptation is to play them every day.”

Friday night it was Phillips’ turn to rest. He was replaced by Rod Correia at third base, but not by choice.

“Tony played the whole road trip and it seemed like a good time,” Lachemann said. “The players don’t always agree, but sometimes I’ll give them a rest anyway because they look like they need it.”

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Earlier this month, Lachemann said the American League West race would come down to pitching, because “it always does.” But the Angels continue to score runs in bunches and Friday Lachemann acknowledged that there is an exception to every rule.

“And I’d love to see this be one of them,” he said, smiling.