Future Grim for Struggling Grimsley

Maybe the Angels can get one of those friends-fly-free deals on an airline ticket so Jason Grimsley can join Jim Abbott in Vancouver.

The last time Grimsley started a game before Wednesday night, he failed to get an out, giving up seven earned runs in the first inning of a 12-9 loss to Detroit, the worst team in baseball. Demoted to the bullpen, he failed to provide much relief, yielding 13 runs in four appearances.

When Abbott went down to the minors, Grimsley got another chance to start Wednesday night and he gave up six runs in the second inning.

Grimsley had two complete-game victories--one a 1-0 shutout against New York--in May, but his ERA and opponents’ batting averages have been skyrocketing ever since. He has walked 11 batters during his last six innings.

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Right-hander Pep Harris, who was acquired by the Angels along with Grimsley in the trade that sent Brian Anderson to Cleveland, was recalled from triple-A Vancouver Wednesday to fill the roster spot vacated by Abbott.

Harris, 23, began the season with double-A Midland, where he was 2-2 with a 5.31 ERA in six starts. He was promoted to Vancouver May 7 and went 9-3 with 4.56 ERA in 18 starts.

For the time being, Harris will be in the bullpen.

“I pitched in relief a lot the last two years in the Cleveland organization, so it’s not like it’s all new to me,” Harris said. “I’m happy to be here and I’ll do anything they ask, but, yeah, I like starting a lot better.”

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Left-hander Chuck McElroy, who was scheduled to see a Houston specialist Tuesday because of nerve irritation in his left hand, had to reschedule the appointment for Wednesday because his wife gave birth to the couple’s second son, Satchel Marcel, Tuesday evening. Depending on results of the examination, McElroy is scheduled to join the Angels today in Boston. . . . Right-hander Mark Eichhorn, who is rehabilitating an inflamed rotator cuff at Class-A Lake Elsinore, did not give up a hit and struck out three with no walks during a two-inning stint Wednesday night. He is scheduled to throw one inning Friday and one inning Saturday and then “we’ll go from there,” pitching coach Joe Coleman said.