BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Ontiveros Takes a Perfect Step

Steve Ontiveros took a first step toward securing his spot in the starting rotation Tuesday, pitching a 1-2-3 seventh inning during the Angels’ 7-4, 10-inning victory over Milwaukee in Chandler, Ariz. It was Ontiveros’ first exhibition-game appearance and even he admits it was only a baby step.

“I have a long way to go, my arm has a long way to go,” he said. “I had some adrenaline going out there and you can’t simulate that on the sidelines, so the next couple of days will be tell-tale.”

Ontiveros, who has been on the disabled list seven times in eight major league seasons and underwent elbow surgery last year, was projected to be the No. 4 starter. But he reinjured his elbow early this month and complained of “a little tenderness” after getting Brewers Fernando Vina and Kelly Stinnett to ground out and striking out Dave Nilsson.

Manager Marcel Lachemann said his hopes of having Ontiveros in the rotation when the season opens might be “a little bit of a stretch, but it’s still a possibility.”

The next step?

“I’d like to see him be able to come back on two days rest and, since he only went one inning, pitch two, maybe even three,” Lachemann said.

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Bringing a knuckleball pitcher into a game with runners on base is not usually considered an ideal situation, but it’s a role Dennis Springer will gladly accept and the Angels are seriously considering. The Angels have only one left-handed reliever--struggling Mark Holzemer--and Springer, a right-hander, has been equally effective against right- and left-handed batters.

Springer made his second appearance in as many days, pitching two innings Tuesday. He struck out three and gave up one hit, a solo homer by Turner Ward that ended Springer’s string of consecutive scoreless innings at 14 1/3.

“I’d like to be a starter, but I’ll come out of the bullpen if they want,” said Springer, a nonroster player who was 0-3 in four games with Philadelphia last season. “I’m happy with the way I’ve pitched. I guess I’m doing about all I can. I just hope they give me a chance.”

Springer said he used to throw about 75% knuckleballs, mixing in sliders, sinkers and fastballs, but is throwing more knuckleballs at the Angels’ request.

Nobody’s complaining. Opponents are batting .163 against him this spring.

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Randy Velarde, who experienced numbness in his right thigh and underwent an MRI Monday, was back in the lineup Tuesday and running strong during a third-inning double and a fourth-inning single. “It was a case of old scar tissue in the hip area pressing on a sensory nerve,” trainer Ned Bergert said. “Once we saw the MRI was negative, we weren’t concerned anymore. It’s full speed ahead.” . . . Infielder Jack Howell, who suffered a strained left groin running the bases Monday, won’t be going full speed for at least a few days. Howell described the injury as “a little tender,” but Bergert said Howell was “very sore and very tight” when he arrived for treatment Tuesday morning. . . . Damion Easley, whose sore shoulder has reduced his role to pinch-hitting and designated-hitter appearances, played in the field for the first time this spring. He played second base in the final four innings against Milwaukee and made a diving stop on the final play of the game. . . . Mark Langston, who walked two in his first four appearances and was cruising through the spring with an 0.64 earned-run average, walked five Brewers and gave up two runs in four innings.