Leyritz Goes From Starter to Platoon Role

Jim Leyritz believed the trade from New York to Anaheim would elevate him from a part-time player to a regular who would catch around 100 games a year and get 450-500 at-bats.

But the combination of Leyritz’s spotty play behind the plate this spring--and Jorge Fabregas’ outstanding play--has made it apparent that the best Leyritz can hope for is a straight catching platoon and some added plate appearances as a designated hitter or first baseman.

With Fabregas batting left-handed and the majority of pitchers throwing right-handed, Fabregas will likely get most of the playing time behind the plate at the start of the season.

Leyritz had a sore arm early in spring and says he feels fine now, but through Tuesday’s game, he had thrown out only one of 12 base stealers. Fabregas, on the other hand, has thrown out five of 11 runners and has impressed Manager Terry Collins with a .357 spring average.

“His catching has been outstanding,” Collins said, “and he has put as good a pass on the ball as anyone we have.”

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The Angels, in desperate need of middle relief pitching, have had trade talks with the Baltimore Orioles about right-hander Scott Kamieniecki, who has bounced between the New York Yankees’ major league and triple-A teams for the last six years.

The Orioles are not asking much in return for Kamieniecki, but the Angels aren’t expected to make a deal until the Orioles announce final cuts, because Kamieniecki has a clause in his contract that allows him to become a free agent if he is sent to the minor leagues.

The San Francisco Giants also have an excess of relievers and are believed to be shopping right-hander Rich DeLucia and left-hander Doug Creek. Another option for the Angels may be veteran right-hander Mike Maddux, who was waived by the Boston Red Sox Wednesday.