BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Ontiveros’ Arthritis Keeps Him Out

An MRI test revealed no evidence of a fresh tear in pitcher Steve Ontiveros’ elbow, but it did show some arthritis, which will sideline the right-hander for at least another six weeks.

Ontiveros, who has had four arm operations and has been on the disabled list eight times in his major league career, was placed on a rehabilitation program but will not throw for another two weeks.

“It’s not a great place to be,” Ontiveros said of the DL. “I’m extremely disappointed. I have great expectations for myself and the team in general. I want to be a part of that champagne-tasting celebration at the end of the year.”

The Angels were hoping a rotation that included Chuck Finley, Mark Langston, Jim Abbott and a healthy Ontiveros would be one of the best in the American League. Ontiveros, a former Oakland pitcher, led the league in earned-run average (2.65) in 1994 and was an AL all-star in 1995.

But now the Angels will be relying on inconsistent right-hander Shawn Boskie and 39-year-old right-hander Scott Sanderson, who had major back surgery last August.

“I didn’t expect 30 starts out of [Ontiveros], we were hoping for something in the 20s,” Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “When he’s pitched he’s been good, but when that’s going to be, I don’t know . . . but it won’t be in the foreseeable future.”

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Angel reliever Mark Holzemer on the bench-clearing incident he sparked when he hit Milwaukee’s Greg Vaughn with a pitch in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s season opener: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s all over.”

Vaughn on the incident: “It’s far from over.”

Vaughn was still steaming Wednesday, not so much because he was the fourth Brewer to be hit in the game, but by Holzemer’s reaction--as Vaughn stepped toward the mound, the Angel left-hander stuck his chest out and stared Vaughn down, seemingly challenging him to a fight.

“I don’t mind being hit, but don’t look at me like you’re going to kick my . . .,” Vaughn said. “If you’re going to do that, then kick my . . .”

Holzemer admitted he “snapped” amid the frustration of a 15-9 loss. “But if Vaughn was mad enough to come at me, I can’t just stand there.” No punches were thrown, and after players returned to their dugouts, Holzemer and Vaughn began jawing again. The dugouts emptied again, but no punches were thrown.

“He’s lucky I didn’t snap,” Vaughn said. “I grew up in the ‘hood, with drive-bys and knife fights. He better have something in his pocket if he’s going to pick a fight with me.”