Gubicza’s Sore Shoulder May Create Opening in Rotation

Conventional wisdom had three pitchers fighting for the fifth spot in the Angels’ starting rotation, but right-hander Mark Gubicza’s nagging shoulder soreness could mean two job openings by opening day.

Manager Terry Collins confirmed as much, saying, “If he’s not ready, we could be talking about needing two starters.”

Gubicza, whose only appearance this spring was March 2, played catch Monday. But he’s not expected to pitch for at least another week.

“When he is back on the mound, he’ll be starting from scratch,” Collins said.

Jim Abbott, Jason Dickson and Shigetoshi Hasegawa had been battling for the fifth spot. It now appears they are the candidates for the fourth and fifth spots. So far, Dickson has been the most impressive.

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Hasegawa turned in a lackluster performance in his first start and third appearance Monday, needing 76 pitches to get through his scheduled four-inning outing against San Francisco, the Giants beating the Angels, 5-2. He gave up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

“When his control is not there, he’s going to run into problems because he’s not going to throw the ball by people,” Collins said.

Hasegawa had runners on base in each of his four innings, but called his appearance his best.

“Before, my idea was to pitch to corner, corner, corner,” he said. “Today, my idea is make first pitch a strike.”

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Second baseman Randy Velarde sprained his right elbow throwing Sunday and is expected to be sidelined three or four days. . . . Outfielder Kevin Bass has an inflamed Achilles’ tendon and his status is day-to-day. . . . Catcher Todd Greene hit a bases-empty homer against the Giants. . . . Abbott, who pitched three shutout innings against the Giants in his last start Thursday, faces Oakland in a split-squad game today. Left-hander Allen Watson faces the Chicago Cubs in the other game.