Langston Goes on Disabled List

If at first your Abbott doesn’t succeed, try, try another. That’s what the Angels will do today when they recall Kyle Abbott, not recently demoted Jim Abbott, from their minor-league system to replace Mark Langston, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a strained right knee.

Langston, who was on the DL only twice in 12 previous major league seasons, has now been disabled three times this season. He re-injured his surgically repaired knee while playing with his daughter in their swimming pool Sunday night.

He was forced to miss Wednesday night’s scheduled start against Cleveland and hoped to return to the rotation this weekend, but Langston (6-5) did not have enough strength in the knee to resume pitching. He was disabled retroactive to Saturday and will be eligible to return next weekend.

Kyle Abbott, a first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Angels in 1989, was 3-5 with a 5.15 earned-run average at double-A Midland, Tex. The left-hander began the season in Japan but returned in May and signed a minor-league contract with the Angels, who plan to use him in relief.

Abbott, a former Mission Viejo High School standout, pitched three seasons in the Angel organization, appearing in five major league games in 1991, but was traded with Ruben Amaro to the Philadelphia Phillies for Von Hayes in December 1991.