Langston and Four Others Not Offered Arbitration

Any hope Mark Langston had of re-signing with the Angels virtually evaporated Sunday night when the team decided not to offer salary arbitration to the left-hander, whose 14-year career was plagued by injuries the last two seasons.

The Angels also didn’t offer arbitration to infielders Luis Alicea and Jack Howell, outfielder Rickey Henderson and catcher Chad Kreuter, essentially severing ties with players who had key roles in 1997.

None of the five can sign with the Angels until May 1, and if the players do wind up with other clubs, the Angels will not receive compensation in the form of draft picks.

The Angels, however, did agree to terms Sunday with reliever Rich DeLucia on a one-year contract with an option for 1999, and they signed veteran pitcher Mark Gubicza, limited to two starts because of a shoulder injury last season, to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.

Langston, 37, went 88-74 in his eight years in Anaheim, but a variety of back, leg and arm injuries limited him to 27 starts in 1996 and ‘97, when he received $9.5 million in salary.

He was willing to sign an incentive-laced deal with a minimal base salary, but the Angels felt Langston’s shaky health record presented too big a risk for arbitration, where the pitcher could have been awarded a big contract.