Greene Catches Last Spot

Catcher Todd Greene was awarded the last spot on the 25-man roster Monday night, as Manager Terry Collins made his final cuts in preparation for Wednesday night’s season opener against the Boston Red Sox.

Collins was prepared to open with two catchers, Jim Leyritz and Jorge Fabregas, but with left-handed hitting Jack Howell a lock for a bench spot, Collins opted for the right-handed hitting Greene over the left-handed batting Chris Pritchett, a first baseman who was optioned to triple-A Vancouver.

Pep Harris and knuckleballer Dennis Springer made the team as middle relievers. Left-hander Darrell May was optioned to Vancouver. Infielder Fausto Cruz, outfielder Mike Wolff and utility player Randy Ready were returned to Vancouver.

The contracts of second baseman Luis Alicea and utility player Howell were purchased by the Angels, and the two were added to the 40-man roster.

Pitcher Chuck Finley (broken facial bone), second baseman Randy Velarde (sprained elbow ligament) and catcher Chris Turner (sprained wrist) were put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to last Thursday. Pitcher Steve Ontiveros (elbow problems) was put on the 60-day disabled list.

The Angels’ opening-day roster: Starting pitchers--Mark Langston, Jason Dickson, Allen Watson, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mark Gubicza; relievers--Troy Percival, Mike James, Chuck McElroy, Mike Holtz, Harris, Springer; catchers--Leyritz, Fabregas, Greene.

Infielders--Darin Erstad, Alicea, Gary DiSarcina, Dave Hollins, Eddie Murray, Craig Grebeck, Howell; outfielders--Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, Tim Salmon, Orlando Palmeiro.