Fregosi Says He’s Not After the Job

There have been persistent rumors that Philadelphia Phillie Manager Jim Fregosi will pursue the Angel job--one baseball source said he’s already “campaigning” for the position; another said he has contacted Angel President Tony Tavares--but Fregosi says it isn’t so.

“It’s just not true,” Fregosi said by phone Wednesday from Houston. “I don’t even know Tony Tavares. I’m not pursuing the job.”

Fregosi’s contract with the Phillies runs through 1997, with an option for 1998, but he has reportedly been feuding with General Manager Lee Thomas over the direction of the club--Fregosi would like to see the team go after big-name free agents; Thomas wants to develop young players from within the system.

The Phillies have the worst record in the National League, and there is growing speculation that Fregosi’s job is in jeopardy, which would obviously make the Angel position more appealing.

Fregosi was the Angel manager from 1978-81, guiding the team to a 237-249 record and the franchise’s first playoff berth in 1979. Tavares, through a team spokesman, said he has not spoken with Fregosi, “and I will not discuss any of the candidates until the end of the baseball season.”

*

Interim Manager John McNamara, still at his Nashville home recovering from a blood clot in his right calf, underwent blood tests Wednesday that will determine whether he’ll be able to return to the Angels. If McNamara, who has been out since Aug. 21, receives clearance today, he will rejoin the team in Kansas City on Friday. “I’m optimistic,” McNamara said. “Heck, I was optimistic two weeks ago. I started something there. I would like to go back and finish it.” . . . Center fielder Kenny Lofton gave Indian fans a scare in the sixth inning when his right wrist curled under his body on his diving attempt of Jim Edmonds’ double in the gap. Lofton appeared to be seriously injured, but after being checked by a team trainer, he remained in the game. . . . Angel second baseman Randy Velarde sat out his fourth consecutive game because of back spasms.