Set Up for a Fall? : Percival Marvelous in Relief of Smith, but Team Won’t Say if Closer’s Job Is His to Keep With All-Time Save Leader Back

Angel reliever Troy Percival insisted all along he was simply filling in, keeping Lee Smith’s spot in the bullpen warm for the day Smith returns from the disabled list.

Smith was activated Tuesday, in time to join the Angels on a nine-game trip to Milwaukee, Chicago and Oakland that begins today. Todd Frohwirth, a reliever, was designated for assignment to make room for Smith on the roster.

So the pressing question facing the Angels now isn’t when the all-time saves leader returns, but what to do with him now that he’s back.

The Angels willingly admit they face a difficult dilemma. Do they immediately hand the reins back to Smith, who has 471 saves but is 38 and has a bum knee? And do they risk messing with success by moving Percival into a set-up role, essentially a demotion?

“All I’ll say is that it will sort itself out,” said Tim Mead, assistant general manager, before referring a reporter to General Manager Bill Bavasi for further comment.

Bavasi danced around the issue Monday night, saying, “It’s all up in the air.” He did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Manager Marcel Lachemann said when Smith is sound again he will be the closer and Percival will return to a set-up role.

Although he is off the DL, it could be awhile before Smith is physically ready to assume the closer’s duties.

It’s possible the Angels could trade Smith. But at present, with a sore knee and a $2.1-million salary, that might be a tough sell, and it’s difficult to know what the Angels could get in return.

Smith said repeatedly during spring training he would rather go fishing than move into a set-up or middle-relief role.

Percival, with a major league-leading seven saves in nine appearances, has proved beyond a reasonable doubt he could be one of the finest closers in the majors.

There is talk among the players that Percival should have the closer’s job, that he has earned it by being so dependable, so overpowering. They know their nine one-run victories are testimony to the bullpen’s strength, which, of course, is anchored by Percival.

But Percival, who will earn $330,000 this year, refuses to campaign for the job. He reveres Smith and wouldn’t say or do anything that might be perceived as stabbing his mentor in the back.

As a rookie last season, Percival tagged along with Smith, learning at the elbow of the master. After Smith lost a game against Texas last year, Percival stared across the clubhouse to watch how Smith dealt with reporters.

Smith often says Percival has the best stuff of any set-up man he has had in 17 major league seasons. He sought out Percival Sunday to offer a bit of advice on pitch selection.

“I don’t have any problem with it,” Percival said of possibly stepping aside for Smith. “I’ll still be there. He’s not going to be able to pitch every day. I expect that [moving to the set-up job]. I know the guy [Smith] is closing in on 500 saves. I know he’s ready to get back in there.”

Percival has yet to allow a run this year. He has given up six hits and one walk with 13 strikeouts in nine innings.

Smith had a 9.00 earned-run average in two games before going on the DL on April 4. He made one lackluster rehab start at Class A Lake Elsinore last Friday, then told club management he wasn’t going to make his second scheduled start on Sunday.

He was allowed to throw in the Anaheim Stadium bullpen instead.

Smith also was given permission to stop off at his Louisiana home to tend to personal business Tuesday. He will join the club in time for today’s game at Milwaukee.

It’s nothing unusual, according to his agent, Brian David. Last year, Smith spent an off day at home before joining the Angels for the start of a swing through the Midwest.

There’s no chance Smith is considering retirement. “That’s not the case at all,” David said. “Why? He’s coming off a great year. He’s not interested in retiring at all.”

Further clouding the bullpen issue is the emergence of Mike James as a standout set-up man for Percival. James, also in his second major league season, is 4-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 12 2/3 innings. He is tied with Seattle’s Randy Johnson for the AL lead in victories.

Once the Angels sorted out their bullpen last year, releasing erratic left-hander Mitch Williams early in the season, they were sound in relief.

Usually, they counted on their starter to go at least six innings. James then entered to pitch the seventh, Percival took the eighth and Smith the ninth.

Smith wound up with 37 saves in 52 games, earning at least 30 saves for the fifth consecutive season. Percival had a team-leading 1.95 ERA in a club-high 62 games. James was 3-0 with a 3.88 ERA in 46 appearances.

“I have great confidence [in James],” Percival said. “I can see how Lee felt last year with me setting him up. If it was a one-run game, bang, I’d give it right to him. It’s the same with me and Jesse [James] this year.”

Percival completed an impressive hat trick Monday, earning his third save in as many games against the overmatched Detroit Tigers. He faced 10 Tigers in three appearances, striking out six and giving up one single. He fanned the side while saving a 6-5 victory Monday.

“Nothing new,” said Chuck Finley, Monday’s starter. “Here it is--if you can hit it. With that kind of stuff, the only way he gets hurt is if he gets cute.”

Certainly, Detroit’s Melvin Nieves had seen enough of Percival’s 95-mph fastball by Monday night. Sent out to pinch hit against Percival three games in a row, Nieves lingered in the on-deck circle. He stretched. He twisted. He took a few practice swings.

The Anaheim Stadium crowd became impatient, booing as if to say: “Get up there and take what’s coming.”

When Nieves did, Percival struck him out. And the fans roared their approval.

“It’s getting to the point where he’s making you think you don’t want to face him,” Detroit Manager Buddy Bell said. “He’s as dominating a guy as we’ve seen in a while. This kid has power, movement and a heavy ball.”