Langston Will Miss Scheduled Start

The disaster-a-day pace continued Monday for the Angels, who learned that pitcher Mark Langston will have to miss Wednesday’s scheduled start against the Indians because of irritation in his troublesome right knee.

Langston was examined by team physician Lewis Yocum and an MRI test showed normal wear and tear on the knee, but Langston, who was limping noticeably before Monday night’s game, had feared the worst.

Langston, who underwent surgery to remove a partial cartilage tear in the same knee in early May, re-injured himself Sunday night when he attempted to throw his daughter in his backyard pool.

“The knee popped again, and it felt exactly the same as when I hurt it in May and needed surgery,” Langston said. “I thought, for sure, it was torn again, but they said there was no tear. I went in expecting the worst, and actually came out with good news.”

Langston, who also went on the disabled list in mid-July because of a strained right calf and nerve irritation in his right leg, said he will rest for a couple days and see how he feels at the end of the week.

Jason Grimsley is the leading on-staff candidate to replace Langston on Wednesday, but a roster spot will open up by then if, as expected, Jim Abbott reports to triple-A Vancouver. Either Pep Harris (9-3 at Vancouver) or Shad Williams (5-1) would likely be promoted and could be inserted in the rotation.

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Abbott, who has until Wednesday afternoon to accept or decline his demotion to Vancouver--or become a free agent--met with his agent, Scott Boras, Monday afternoon but had not informed the Angels of his decision as of Monday night.

But a source said Abbott is leaning toward reporting to Vancouver and would likely tell the team today. “He has three choices,” Bavasi said. “He checks one off, and we go from there.”

Bavasi insisted Abbott is not suffering arm problems. “I think he’ll pitch well again in the big leagues,” he said. Interim Manager John McNamara saw only one Abbott start--Saturday’s 18-3 loss to Kansas City--and said Abbott was definitely lacking confidence.

“He was trying to make perfect pitches and was bouncing his breaking ball,” McNamara said. “I’m not sure if lack of velocity was a factor, but I think he was trying to be letter-perfect with all his pitches, because in the past he was never that wild.”

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McNamara, suffering from a strained calf muscle, managed his second consecutive game from his clubhouse office, via walkie-talkie, Monday night but expects to return to the bench today. “These walls can get a little tight,” McNamara said, “especially in the eighth inning [when the Angels nearly blew a 6-1 lead] Sunday.” . . . Angel reliever Chuck McElroy has traveled to Texas to be with his wife, who is delivering the couple’s second child this week. McElroy will join the team Friday in Boston . . . Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel stole second in the third inning Monday, giving him a career-high 30 stolen bases this season.