James Strikes Out Big With Vaughn

Move over Troy Percival vs. Frank Thomas. The latest feud between sensitive American League slugger and emotional Angel reliever features Mo Vaughn vs. Mike James, which traces its roots to Tuesday night, when James struck out Vaughn with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning.

“I’m not sure what he said, but he pumped his fist and said something,” Vaughn said Wednesday. “I don’t show anyone up, but if I hit a bomb off him tonight, I’m going to stand there until it bounces off the seats.”

James admitted he “screamed” after the strikeout but claimed he didn’t say anything specific. “It was an intense situation, bases loaded, close game, and I let it out,” James said. “Mo’s a great guy. If it was something personal, I would have stood there and yelled at him.”

James, who hit Boston catcher Mike Stanley in the head with a pitch earlier this season, said he had no intention of showing up Vaughn.

“It’s unfortunate if he thinks that,” James said. “This is a competitive sport. I’m a competitor. I play the game with intensity and emotion. I was just pumped. If he took it personal, I really don’t know what to say.”

*

Center fielder Jim Edmonds spent 15 days on the disabled list from May 26 to June 9 because of an abdomen strain and sat out from June 13 to July 17 because of a sprained ligament in his right thumb.

Now comes news that Edmonds has an injury that will require surgery this off-season . . . but won’t sideline him this season. Edmonds has a slight tear in his right labrum, the lip-shaped structure found in the shoulder joint, but is playing through the pain.

“If I was right-handed I wouldn’t be playing,” said Edmonds, who suffered the injury about two years ago. “I’m going to play through with it this year, but I’m going to get it taken care of in the off-season.”

*

Jim Abbott will make one more start Sunday for triple-A Vancouver before rejoining the Angel rotation for the next trip.

Angel pitching Joe Coleman said Abbott (1-15) likely will start in Minnesota Sept. 6-8, and the plan is for Abbott to make about four more major league starts.

“I think he can pitch here again and be successful, but if we say this year’s over and don’t go for it, he may not have enough time next spring training to get his psyche up,” Coleman said. “We hope he can get comfortable and gain some confidence going into next season.”

*

Reliever Chuck McElroy (inflamed right thumb) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, and reliever Kyle Abbott was designated for assignment to make room for McElroy on the roster. . . . George Arias has not started four of the past six games, but interim Manager Joe Maddon said the rookie will soon return to his role as regular third baseman. “He’s just getting some extra work with Rod [Carew, batting instructor], trying to gain a better command of the strike zone,” Maddon said. “It’s a temporary inconvenience we hope will lead to a permanent improvement.” . . . The Mike James/Angels charity ticket program, which will supply 200 game and meal tickets to Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Orangewood Children’s Home, began Wednesday night. The program will continue Sept. 4 against Baltimore, Sept. 18 against Oakland and Sept. 25 against Seattle.