BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Valera Haunts His Former Team

The Angels gave up on oft-injured pitcher Julio Valera this spring, selling him to the Kansas City Royals for an undisclosed amount of cash, and it turned out to be a costly decision . . . for the Angels.

Valera struck out Tim Salmon and Chili Davis before giving up singles to J.T. Snow and Garret Anderson in the eighth inning Tuesday night. But when Royal closer Jeff Montgomery bailed him out of the jam, Valera had his first major league victory since May 28, 1993.

“I’m just happy because I worked hard for 2 1/2 years, and finally these guys have given me a shot,” said Valera, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in 1994 and spent the ’94 and ’95 seasons in the Angels’ farm system.

“Maybe the Angels gave up on me, but that’s the way baseball is. I’m just happy my arm feels 100%, I’m getting people out with my fastball, and my breaking ball is getting better.”

Valera, who didn’t seem to have enough velocity to satisfy the Angels, displayed good zip on his fastball and a sharp-breaking curve Tuesday night.

“Don’t let anyone [fool] you--the man can pitch,” Davis said. “I hated to see him sent out in spring training, especially to another team you’re going to run up against.”

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While the news concerning starter Mark Langston wasn’t good Tuesday, the Angels did receive an encouraging report on reliever Bryan Harvey, who terminated a simulated game after four pitches Monday because of arm pain.

X-rays on Harvey’s elbow Tuesday were normal, and the right-hander was cleared to continue throwing at the same pace he was before Monday. Harvey, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in 1995, hopes to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week and join the Angel bullpen around June 1.

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When right fielder Tim Salmon threw out Kansas City’s Bob Hamelin at the plate Monday night, Angel catcher Jorge Fabregas made the tag with his mask still on. Most catchers throw the mask off for such plays.

“But ever since that collision with Lance Johnson [in 1994] I keep it on,” Fabregas said. “It was a low throw, he popped up, and his helmet hit me in the mouth. I lost my two front teeth . . . but I got them back for Christmas, though.”

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Jim Abbott’s strikeout of Kansas City’s Sal Fasano in the sixth inning Tuesday night was the 800th of his career. . . . Royal third baseman Craig Paquette’s throwing error in the second inning was the first error by a Kansas City infielder since April 20, a stretch of 15 games. . . . Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina’s walk in Monday night’s game was his first since April 9 and fourth this season. “The umpire said ball four,” DiSarcina said, “and I said, ‘What?’ ” . . . Pep Harris, acquired along with Jason Grimsley from Cleveland in the February Brian Anderson deal, was promoted from double-A Midland to triple-A Vancouver Tuesday.