McNamara’s Return Delayed Again

John McNamara’s return as interim manager will probably be pushed back another week--until Sept. 13 at the earliest--but the setback hasn’t deterred the 64-year-old.

“They want me back, even if it’s just for the last game of the season,” said McNamara, who originally hoped to join the team Friday. “Heck, I’ve got to go back at some point and get my clothes.”

McNamara, sidelined because of a blood clot in his right calf, said doctors don’t want him to go on the upcoming trip to Minnesota, Cleveland and Kansas City “because they say it’s too soon after something like this to do that much flying.”

Joe Maddon, interim to the interim manager, said it’s possible McNamara could join the Angels in Kansas City Sept. 13, then return to Anaheim for the final homestand.

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The Angels, who pulled the plug on their development program in the Dominican Republic last year, have established a working agreement with Mexicali of the Mexican Winter League and will send five players, a manager, a pitching coach and trainer there this October.

The Angels have not announced which prospects will be going to Mexico, but one will be pitcher Matt Perisho, who went 3-2 with a 3.21 earned-run average at double-A Midland and 7-5 with a 4.20 ERA at Class-A Lake Elsinore this season. He will be joined by Midland Manager Mario Mendoza, Midland pitching coach Kernan Ronan and Lake Elsinore trainer Alan Russell.