McNamara Still Waiting for OK

John McNamara’s return as interim manager, scheduled for tonight, will be pushed back at least a week, while doctors work to regulate medication for the treatment of a blood clot in McNamara’s right calf.

Doctors have told McNamara, 64, that flying could exacerbate his condition, so the manager, who was released from a New York hospital Wednesday, will remain at his Nashville home while bench coach Joe Maddon continues to run the team.

General Manager Bill Bavasi said McNamara would manage the Angels when he receives medical clearance. “That’s our deal--he manages the club as soon as he can,” Bavasi said. “We’re disappointed, and I know he’s disappointed, but I’m glad we can take a safe route with this.”

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Veteran catcher Don Slaught’s request for a trade apparently won’t be fulfilled. Slaught, who is hitting .324 but has only eight at-bats in the past month, was informed by front-office officials this week that there wasn’t enough interest in the veteran catcher to warrant a deal.

With the Angels out of contention, Jorge Fabregas and Todd Greene have been sharing catching duties while Slaught, 37, and his impressive bat rot on the bench. Slaught has six homers and 32 runs batted in, but has been a non-factor since injuring his back in mid-July.

“I don’t want to come off sounding bitter, because the Angels gave me an opportunity to play this year,” Slaught said. “I can understand why they’re doing this, but I wonder what would have happened if we were in the race.”

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Angel reliever Bryan Harvey, who hasn’t pitched since undergoing elbow reconstruction surgery in May, 1995, had to cut short Friday’s simulated game after 24 pitches because he had “no arm strength or power.”

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Mark Langston, who entertained thoughts of returning from his knee injury despite an Angel announcement that he was out for the season, appears to be out for the year. Athletic trainer Ned Bergert said scores on tests to determine the strength in Langston’s right knee “have come up, but they’re still not acceptable for Mark to return pitching at this time.” . . . The Yankees trade-a-day pace continued Friday when they acquired third baseman Charlie Hayes from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named. How convenient: Yankee third baseman Wade Boggs left Friday’s game in the fourth inning because of stiffness in his lower back.