BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Borders Is Third Catcher

Looking for depth at catcher, the Angels acquired veteran Pat Borders from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor league pitcher Ben VanRyn.

The Angels have thrown out only 18 of 88 base-stealers going into Saturday. But the addition of Borders does not necessarily mean either Jorge Fabregas or Don Slaught will be the odd man out.

Borders, World Series most valuable player in 1992 with Toronto, is expected to join the club Monday, and the Angels have until then to clear a spot for him on the roster.

“Right now, we’re leaning toward keeping three catchers,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “But we’re not dead set on that. I can’t be more specific than that. We think he can give us depth. [Angel scouts] saw him enough to be real comfortable in recommending him.”

Borders played in four American League Championship Series and two World Series for Toronto. He batted .450 with one homer and six RBIs in the ’92 World Series, but he played in only 26 games for the Cardinals this season.

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Third baseman Jack Howell left the game after injuring his right calf and hamstring while batting in the second inning. Tim Wallach replaced him.

“He kind of got stuck in the box,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “It doesn’t look good [as far as playing today].”

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The Angels signed 10 draft picks Saturday, bringing the total to 17. The 10 are infielders Scott Byers (Georgia Tech) and Wade Jackson (Nevada), outfielder Marcus Knight (Miramar High), third basemen/catchers Eric Gillespie (Cal State Northridge) and Nathan Starkey (Modesto Junior College), catcher Matt Curtis (Fresno State), and pitchers Jerrod Riggan (San Diego State), Jim Leach (Gibbs High in Piniellas Park, Fla.), Mark Harriger (San Diego State) and Scott Schoeneweis (Duke).