Murray Could Be Close to Returning

Designated hitter Eddie Murray, who has missed 29 games because of tendinitis in his right wrist, took batting practice for the fourth consecutive day Monday and could be back on the roster by the beginning of next week.

“The cortisone shots have worked,” Manager Terry Collins said, “and I think he should be back by Sunday or Monday.”

Collins said he would meet with General Manager Bill Bavasi on Monday night and plan a course of action that will probably include a rehabilitation stint at Class-A Lake Elsinore.

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Second baseman Luis Alicea, sidelined for five games because of back spasms resulting from being hit by a Hideo Nomo pitch July 3, says he’s ready to return to the lineup.

“When we got back from the All-Star break, I couldn’t do anything,” he said, “but it feels much better now.”

Collins, however, wasn’t ready to make any changes in a starting lineup that had produced four victories in a row.

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The Angels have signed five players from the June draft--including 11th-round pick Brian Tokarse, a right-handed pitcher from Cal State Fullerton--and four players from Mexico.

The other free-agent draftees signed were University of South Florida right-hander Dwayne Dobson (ninth round), University of San Diego outfielder Jeb Dougherty (25th round), New York South Shore High outfielder Gilberto Pichardo (56th round) and University of West Florida right-hander Ronald Ricks (57th round).

From Mexico, the Angels signed 17-year-old catchers Jose Carrillo of Chihuahua and Francisco Murrillo of Los Mochis, right-hander Israel Rabalo, 17, of Navajoa and infielder Narcisco Padilla, 19, of Tecapan.

TONIGHT’S GAME

ANGELS’ JASON DICKSON (9-4, 3.37 ERA) vs. RANGERS’ KEN HILL (5-6, 4.93 ERA)

Anaheim Stadium, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West. Radio--KTZN (710).

* Update--Dickson is the pitcher Manager Terry Collins hopes will be helped most by the move to a four-man rotation. “He’s been too strong and he’s over-throwing right now,” Collins said. “We hope this will help him get the sink back that made him so successful earlier in the season.” Dickson ended a month-long victory drought in his last outing, a 14-4 victory over Oakland on Friday. He went seven innings, giving up five hits and two runs. Hill, who was pounded for a career-high 10 runs in his last start, is 1-4 with a 6.65 earned-run average in his last eight appearances. He lasted only three innings against the Angels on June 24 (five hits and three runs), but is 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA against them in five lifetime starts.