BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Smith Wishes He Hadn’t Worn Halo

Closer Lee Smith spent the last year and a half across town pitching for the Angels, but looking back Friday, Smith wishes he had never signed with the Angels in the first place.

Smith, who signed a two-year, $4.2-million free-agent contract with the Angels after the 1994 season, said Friday that he should have re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Now, he is with the Cincinnati Reds, realizing that he probably will be traded again within two months.

“Look at what Baltimore has done for their ballclub,” Smith said. “I would have probably signed there for less money.”

Smith was traded a week ago to the Reds for reliever Chuck McElroy. He still is not the closer, setting up for Jeff Brantley.

Smith reiterated that he holds no grudge against Manager Marcel Lachemann, only General Manager Bill Bavasi. If it were solely up to Lachemann, Smith insists, he still would be the Angels’ closer.

“All I ever wanted to do was close,” Smith said.

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Pedro Astacio, who lasted only three innings Wednesday, will start on only two days’ rest tonight against the Reds. He threw 52 pitches in his last start against Pittsburgh and today would normally be the day he would pitch on the side.

Hideo Nomo, who started Tuesday, will pitch on his regular turn Sunday.

Ramon Martinez, who was scratched Thursday because of flu, still was too ill to even make it Friday to Dodger Stadium. He tentatively is scheduled Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals, but if he’s still sick, Chan Ho Park will make the start.

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Dodger shortstop Greg Gagne, who has been out since May 17, took batting practice for the first time since suffering his sprained left ankle. He also took ground balls again, but it is almost certain that he won’t be ready by the end of the home stand. . . . Dodger President Peter O’Malley and his late father, Walter, will be honored Tuesday as recipients of the Pacific Pioneer Award by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center.