Smith Has Shaky Outing in Class-A

Closer Lee Smith’s first rehabilitation appearance at Class A Lake Elsinore won’t go very far in convincing the Angels he is ready to be activated from the disabled list.

In one inning against Visalia Friday night, Smith gave up one hit, two runs (one earned), one walk and a wild pitch. He struck out one and made 19 pitches.

Smith, who went on the DL April 4 because of swelling in his injured right knee, also didn’t endear himself to Storm fans, who booed him when he failed to cover home on his wild pitch, which allowed a run to score.

Smith, who hadn’t played in the minor leagues since 1980, will have a chance to make amends--he’ll pitch again in Lake Elsinore Sunday, before the Angels consider inserting him in their bullpen for next week’s trip.

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The Angels are leaning toward employing an 11-man pitching staff after Jason Grimsley is activated for tonight’s game against the Tigers, meaning a position player, most likely infielder Dick Schofield, will have to be designated for assignment.

The Angels would like to keep Schofield, 33, who was the team’s starting shortstop from 1984-91, in the system as an emergency defensive replacement for shortstop Gary DiSarcina.

But Schofield, who has appeared in only four games and is yet to make a plate appearance, said Friday he probably wouldn’t accept an assignment to play at triple-A Vancouver.

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Designated hitter Chili Davis missed his fifth consecutive game because of back spasms Friday, but Manager Marcel Lachemann said he would “probably” play tonight. . . . Center fielder Jim Edmonds, who had played every inning of the Angels’ first 15 games, did not start Friday, but Lachemann said it was to give him a night off, not because Edmonds’ sore left arm had flared up. . . . Detroit right-hander Omar Olivares, who was scheduled to start tonight, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring Friday and will be replaced by right-hander Greg Keagle. . . . Friday marked the 30th anniversary of the first regular-season game at Anaheim Stadium, won by the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, over the Angels on April 19, 1966.