Finley’s Shoulder Fine in First Start of Spring

Left-hander Chuck Finley made his first start of the spring and pitched two innings with moderate success against the Seattle Mariners at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Sidelined since Feb. 18 because of shoulder tendinitis, Finley was given the option of throwing a simulated game against teammates or facing Seattle. He chose the Mariners.

“I said, ‘Let’s go for it,’ ” Finley said after giving up two runs on four hits. “The only bad thing I did today was making that pitch to that guy [Russ Davis] who hit the double. I had the guy all set up for the strikeout too.”

Finley’s shoulder began to hurt after his last start last season. He took a few days off, then began his off-season training program. After a few days in Tempe, the tendinitis flared up again.

“I don’t think I allowed my arm enough time to settle down,” said Finley, 15-16 with a 4.16 earned-run average last season. “I never had a chance to calm it down and rebuild. Terry [Collins, Angel manager] asked me after we’d been here a few days, ‘Do you always throw like that? You don’t look right.’ ”

Rest was the best tonic for the tendinitis, according to Finley. And as long as there is no discomfort, he expects to make four to five more starts this spring.

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Right-hander Jason Dickson pitched four strong innings of relief and Gary DiSarcina, Darin Erstad and Randy Velarde homered as the Angels defeated Seattle, 6-3, for their first victory of the spring. The Angels (1-8) were the last team in the majors to win this spring. . . . Musician Bruce Hornsby, a friend of pitcher Mark Langston, pinch ran for Kevin Bass in the seventh inning. . . . Langston, Dennis Springer, Chuck McElroy are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Brewers today. Hornsby has a benefit concert tonight in Phoenix. . . . Third baseman George Arias agreed to terms on a contract for 1997.