Langston Goes on 15-Day DL

Left-hander Mark Langston was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a nerve irritation in his right leg, and an MRI revealed 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 athletic trainer Ned Bergert said, “but there’s no way to tell how long he’ll be out.” There was a fear that Langston, 35, might 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 revealed normal blood flow in his lower back and legs, and has been given anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling in his knee.

Bergert said this injury, though in the same knee, is not related to Langston’s torn cartilage injury 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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Beauty and the Beasts: At one end of the Angel clubhouse before Monday night’s game, players gathered around a big screen television to watch a barbaric ultimate fighting match. At the other end, reliever Shad Williams was . . . ironing?

Pitcher Chuck Finley provided the iron and board and Angel teammates provided the shirts, all part of the rookie hazing process. “He’s got nothing to do today,” Finley said of Williams, who pitched 4 1/3 innings Sunday. Said Williams: “I guess it goes with the territory.”

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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 and will be sidelined at least three weeks. Gross 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. . . . Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina did not start Monday because of a slight knee injury that occurred Sunday. He’s 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 Sunday and could re-join the Angels for the 10-game homestand that begins Thursday.