Edmonds Adds Injury to Injury

The Duke of Discomfort suffered another injury Tuesday--the patella tendon in Jim Edmonds’ right knee swelled, forcing him to sit out Wednesday’s game. At this rate, the center fielder may be in traction by August.

Edmonds has had torn cartilage in his left knee for a month, and he jammed his right thumb last week. His hamstrings also have been sore. The combination of three left-handers in Seattle’s rotation and the Kingdome’s unforgiving AstroTurf likely will sideline Edmonds for at least two of the four games against the Mariners.

“I think this injury stemmed from him favoring his right leg,” Manager Terry Collins said. “He thought he could DH [Wednesday], but he has trouble planting his front leg when he’s hitting. Hopefully, the swelling will go down in a couple of days.”

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Pitcher Allen Watson, who left Monday night’s game after six innings because of biceps tendinitis, had to cut his between-starts workout after five minutes Wednesday.

“I felt a little impingement when I brought my shoulder straight over my head,” Watson said. “But I think I’ll be able to make my next start [Saturday].”

If Watson can’t go, right-hander Kevin Gross will start. Because Collins needs Gross as a spot starter and reliever, Collins said Dennis Springer will remain in the rotation despite another rough outing Tuesday, when the knuckleballer gave up four runs on 10 hits in six innings at Texas.

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Eddie Murray (tendinitis in wrist) is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, but he will not be activated because he’s not 100% and Collins needs 12 pitchers. . . . Wednesday’s loss was the Angels’ fourth consecutive one-run game. The Angels’ 16-11 record in such games is still the league’s best. . . . Luis Alicea’s fifth-inning stolen base was the Angels’ 53rd of the season, which equals their entire output for 1996. . . . The Angels (10) and Rangers (16) combined to leave 26 runners on base. . . . The Angels were determined not to lose the rights to No. 3 pick Troy Glaus by failing to issue the UCLA infielder a written contract within 15 days of the draft. “They sent one contract to Troy at school, one to Troy’s mother and one to [UCLA Coach] Gary Adams, all by Federal Express the day after the draft,” said Doug DeCinces, Glaus’ advisor. “So you could say they had their bases covered.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Seattle Mariners, four games.

* Site--The Kingdome, Seattle.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--KTZN (710).

* Records--Angels 40-35, Mariners 44-32.

* Record vs. Mariners--2-1.

ANGELS’ JASON DICKSON (8-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. MARINERS’ JAMIE MOYER (6-2, 4.85 ERA)

* Update--The Angels, 10-2 against AL West opponents, face their stiffest test of the season in Seattle. Mariner center fielder Ken Griffey is having a monster year, leading the league in home runs (29), RBIs (78) and runs (64), before injuring his hamstring Wednesday night against Oakland. Right fielder Jay Buhner has the most productive .238 average in baseball, with 20 homers and 60 RBIs. Buhner has 15 homers in his last 33 games. DH Edgar Martinez recovered from a slow start and is batting .332 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs, and second baseman Joey Cora is batting .333 with 25 doubles. More bad news for Dickson--the Mariners were 15-3 against right-handed starters in June through Tuesday night. The bullpen, a trouble spot for most of April and May, is 1-0 with five saves and a 2.45 earned-run average in eight games. One Mariner weakness: They rank last in the league in fielding (.978) and errors (63).

* Friday, 7 p.m.--Chuck Finley (3-5, 5.18) vs. Jeff Fassero (7-3, 3.80).

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Allen Watson (6-4, 5.62) vs. Derek Lowe (2-2, 5.70).

* Sunday, 1:35 p.m.--Dennis Springer (4-2, 5.86) vs. Randy Johnson (11-2, 2.33).