BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Wallach Released and Says 17-Year Career May Be Over

The Angels released Tim Wallach on Friday, a move that could mark the end of a 17-year career that includes 256 home runs, 1,103 runs batted in and three Gold Gloves.

Wallach, 38, left the door to retirement cracked--admitting he would listen to an offer from the Dodgers if they called--but he had his Angel teammates sign the lineup card from the last game in which he played and was collecting memorabilia like a guy who was planning a life outside the clubhouse.

Dodger third baseman Mike Blowers suffered a season-ending knee injury Wednesday and Wallach indicated the Dodgers were the only team he would consider, but added, “I can’t say I would absolutely go even if they call.”

“Certainly if I went, it would be to play,” Wallach said, “so I’d have to listen to what they had in mind and make a decision. I’ve been away from my kids and family for a long time and I’m ready for it to end. I would say this is probably it.”

Wallach was unhappy with his offensive performance and his inability to help the team reach preseason expectations.

“This is no surprise,” he said. “I was considering retiring last year when I got the opportunity to play for a team that was close to home, that I grew up watching. But I came back for only one reason, because I felt this team could win a championship. I felt I could still play and my biggest disappointment is that I wasn’t good enough to help the team win.”

The Angels activated veteran Jack Howell, who had been on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring, to back up rookie third baseman George Arias and pinch-hit.

*

Knuckleballer Dennis Springer joined the Angels from triple-A Vancouver and will be activated to start tonight’s game against the Mariners, a move necessitated by scheduled starter Ryan Hancock’s 4 1/3 innings of relief against Seattle on Thursday night.