BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Owen Puts Off Shoulder Surgery

Surgery can wait for infielder Spike Owen, who was reinstated from the disabled list and will try to gut out the season with a shoulder injury that will probably require surgery in November.

“I’m not a hero, a Mr. Tough Guy--if it gets to the point where it was when I went on the disabled list [on July 7], I won’t play,” said Owen, who suffered a torn muscle while sliding in early July.

“But I want to be part of what’s going on here, for selfish reasons and because I feel I can help the club.”

Rod Correia was sent to triple-A Vancouver to make room for Owen, who hit .226 before the injury.

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Designated hitter Chili Davis made the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Monday night, with the host of the late-night talk show coming up with Chili Davis’ top 10 complaints about fans. (No. 1: Can’t take a punch.)

But Davis was in no mood Tuesday to joke--or talk--about Sunday’s incident, in which he poked a heckler in the cheek at Milwaukee’s County Stadium and was charged with disorderly conduct.

“I have nothing to say about anything, end of story,” Davis said. “No matter what that guy had to say, I have nothing to say about it.”

Andy Johannsen, the 26-year-old fan involved in the Davis incident, said he is pursuing assault and battery charges against the player with the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department. He said he has contacted an attorney but hasn’t decided whether he’ll pursue legal action.

“I’m going to wait to see how Chili handles it,” Johannsen said. “He hasn’t publicly apologized, but if he did, I wouldn’t do anything. He didn’t bludgeon me or anything, but he has no right to make physical contact with a fan.”

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Former Angel pitcher Nolan Ryan and Angel batting instructor Rod Carew will be guest speakers for tonight’s 7 o’clock ceremony to induct Jimmie Reese, the Angels’ late conditioning coach of 23 years, into the club’s Hall of Fame.

Reese, who was associated with professional baseball for 78 years before his death at 92 on July 13, 1994, will have his jersey (No. 50) retired, and the team will unveil a bronze bust, which will be on display inside the stadium for the rest of the season. Reese’s will be the fourth jersey retired by the Angels, joining owner Gene Autry (26), Carew (29) and Ryan (30).

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Right-hander Andy Benes, acquired in a trade from the San Diego Padres Monday, will make his American League debut for the Mariners against Jim Abbott and the Angels Thursday night.