BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Latest Belle Incident Gets a Response

Cleveland outfielder Albert Belle sparked outrage with Friday’s body slam of Milwaukee second baseman Fernando Vina, in which Belle’s elbows flew into Vina’s face as he broke up a double play, but several Angels did not condemn Belle’s actions . . . unless his intent was to injure Vina.

“I wouldn’t throw an elbow at a guy’s head--that’s not breaking up a double play,” designated hitter Chili Davis said. “All’s fair in love and war, and the object is to stop a double play. I’m not condoning it if he’s trying to hurt a guy, but to run into a tag and let him have the double play, that’s not baseball, either.”

Outfielder/second baseman Rex Hudler said he doesn’t “condone any cheap shots, but it’s a tough game. Contact is legal. That’s the way the game is played. If you’re going to cry when things like that happen, get a skirt and go to the ballet.”

*

Center fielder Jim Edmonds, out with an abdomen strain, missed his sixth consecutive game Saturday night and is beginning to feel like a high school sophomore who stayed out past curfew.

“I want to play and they won’t let me,” he said. “They put me on restriction, so I just kind of hang out. I’m bored. I’m mad.”

Edmonds took batting practice again Saturday and felt fine but admits he can run at about 70%. The Angels want him to heal fully before he plays again, rather than risk a more serious injury that could sideline him for weeks.

“I guess I can see where they’re coming from,” Edmonds said. “But it’s tough to stay on the bench . . . of course, the guy replacing me [Hudler] is hitting about 9,000.00, so I might have to change positions.”

*

Davis left Saturday night’s game in the seventh inning because of a tight left hamstring and will be available on a day-to-day basis . . . Though he gave up two runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings, Steve Ontiveros called Friday’s start for Class A Lake Elsinore a step forward. Why? Because the right-hander who hasn’t pitched this season because of elbow problems is scheduled to make a second rehabilitation start this week. “I just have to wait for the rigor mortis to go away and see what happens,” Ontiveros said. “I’m sore all over, but this is what I expected.” . . . The Dodgers, Orioles, Braves and Marlins are pursuing pitcher John Stephens, a 16-year-old from Sydney, Australia, who threw for Oriole coaches and executives Saturday in Anaheim Stadium. Stephens, a high school junior, can sign with a team July 2. . . . Shad Williams, who made two starts this month after being recalled from triple-A Vancouver, will be used as a long reliever and spot starter.