Perisho Could Be Next in Line

Manager Terry Collins has narrowed his options, depending on pitcher Mark Langston’s status. Langston will miss at least one start because of inflammation is his left elbow, the second time that has sidelined him this season.

Should Langston go on the disabled list, the Angels probably will call up Matt Perisho from double-A Midland and start him in Langston’s spot Tuesday in Detroit. Perisho, 21, started Wednesday for Midland against Jackson, and that will give him five days of rest before pitching against the Tigers.

Perisho was 5-1 record with 3.05 earned-run average heading into Wednesday’s game. He was a third-round draft pick in 1993.

The move would seem to run counter to Collins’ stance in spring training, when he said he would not rush young pitchers to the major leagues. But he is without Langston and Mark Gubicza because of injuries. Add to that the ineffectiveness of Allen Watson.

“If they are in Vancouver, Midland or Lake Elsinore and if the can help us, then we’ll use them,” Collins said.

If Langston doesn’t go on the disabled list, as happened earlier this season, then Collins probably will fill in with Dennis Springer or Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

Collins said he will have until Sunday before he has to decide. Langston (2-3) missed 13 days earlier this season with the same injury.

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Gubicza threw “OK,” according to Collins, in a two-inning simulated game. Gubicza made 30 pitches and will go to the Angels’ facility in Mesa, Ariz., today to continue his rehabilitation.

He will throw on the sidelines Friday and is scheduled to throw three innings--45 pitches--in another simulated game Sunday. He will throw again next Thursday.

“Then we will make a decision on whether he’s ready to make a rehab start,” Collins said.

“He’ll make two, maybe three rehab starts. We could have him back by the middle of June, best-case scenario.”

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Outfielder Tim Salmon sat out Wednesday’s game and was not at the ball park for personal reasons, Collins said. Tony Phillips played right field in his place.

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Jason Dickson showed a reason why he has been the Angels’ best pitcher this season. He doesn’t often make the same mistake twice.

Dickson, who gave up a long home run to Ken Griffey Jr.--estimated at 470 feet--in the first inning Tuesday, missed inside with a fastball on a 3-and-1 pitch to Griffey with the bases loaded in the fifth, forcing in a run.

“In that situation, and the way he’s hitting the ball, I’d rather do that than just throw one up there,” Dickson. “That way, at worst, it’s one run instead of four.”

The Mariners got four anyway, when Dickson showed that he was still young. After stomping behind the mound when an 0-and-2 pitch to Edgar Martinez--the next batter--was called a ball, Dickson grooved a pitch, which Martinez ripped for a three-run double.