Langston Goes on 15-Day DL

Pitcher Mark Langston was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a nerve irritation in his right leg, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test showed a strained muscle in the upper calf area behind his right knee.

An MRI of Langston’s lower back “showed normal wear and tear for an athlete Mark’s age,” Angel trainer Ned Bergert said, “but there’s no way to tell how long he’ll be out.” There was a fear that Langston, a 35-year-old left-hander, may have a disk problem.

Langston, who threw in the bullpen Saturday but awoke in pain Sunday morning in his Seattle hotel room, was examined Monday by Dr. Lewis Yocum, Angel medical director, and Kerlan-Jobe Clinic spine specialist Dr. Bill Dillon.

He also underwent what is known as a Doppler Flow Study, which showed normal blood flow in his lower back and legs, and he has been given anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling in his knee.

Bergert said the injury, though in the same knee, is not related to the partial tear of the cartilage that Langston suffered in early May.

“It’s weird,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “You would expect this kind of injury to happen on the field or something like that. He was fine after he threw Saturday, but the irritation goes all the way down to his toes.”

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Latest Garret Anderson trade rumor has the Angel left fielder going to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher William VanLandingham and catcher Kirt Manwaring. Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said there’s nothing to it. “It’s not going to happen,” he said, “and it hasn’t been discussed.” . . . The Angels recalled reliever Jeff Schmidt from triple-A Vancouver to replace Langston. . . . Ranger pitcher Kevin Gross (9-7) was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a herniated disk in his back and will be sidelined for at least three weeks. He was replaced on the Texas roster by first baseman Will Clark, who played Monday for the first time since June 29, when he pulled his left quadriceps muscle. . . . Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina did not start Monday because of a slight knee injury suffered Sunday, but he is expected to return to the lineup tonight. . . . Center fielder Jim Edmonds, out since June 12 because of a sprained thumb, went one for four for Class-A Lake Elsinore on Sunday and could rejoin the Angels for the 10-game homestand that begins Thursday.