Instead of Answer, O’Brien Remains Catching Question

Catcher Charlie O’Brien made his first visit to the Angel clubhouse Monday, and his last for a while. O’Brien was in street clothes. When he will be in uniform remains to be seen.

O’Brien, acquired from the Chicago White Sox last week, was examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum on Monday, and X-rays showed his broken right thumb has not healed. He will return to his home in Tulsa, Okla., and will be out 2-4 weeks.

“It’s still swollen, so there is nothing I can do right now,” O’Brien said. “If it was another finger, then maybe I could do something. But I grip the ball with that thumb. It’s a problem.”

That thought has occurred to the Angels.

They were not only trying to shore up the catching situation for this season, but were looking toward the future. Todd Greene, whom the Angels had groomed to take over the position, may never catch again because of a shoulder injury.

General Manager Bill Bavasi said if O’Brien contends to linger on the disabled list, the Angels will seek another arrangement with the White Sox.

“We looked at the catchers who will be free agents next season and felt [O’Brien] ranked pretty well in there,” Bavasi said. “If he is out four weeks, then we have a problem. [White Sox General Manager] Ron Schueler and I have things worked out.”

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The Angels picked up the option on Terry Collins’ contract for the 1999 season, which is believed to be in the $400,000 range.

“We felt like the time was right,” Bavasi said. “We like the way he goes about his business. He puts a lot effort and brings great intensity into the job.

“A lot of people thought he was doing a good job in June [when the Angels went 22-6]. I think he has done a good job since then. He has stuck to what he has always done.”

The last Angel manager to last three full seasons was Gene Mauch (1985-87).

“It’s a thrill for me,” Collins said. “I don’t think any manager has a better group of young players to work with. I just want to help us get better.”

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Ken Hill, recovering from elbow surgery, will pitch a three-inning simulated game Wednesday and, if all goes well, probably will make a rehabilitation start at Class-A Cedar Rapids on Sunday. . . . Catcher Matt Walbeck returned to the Angels on Monday, two days after his wife, Stephenie, gave birth to a boy, Lucas.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (8-5 2.6 ERA) vs. INDIANS’ DAVE BURBA (10-8, 3.87)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West. Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090)

* Update--Finley earned a no-decision in his last start, but he pitched eight shutout innings in an eventual 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees. The Indians have lost four consecutive games and are 3-4 on this West Coast trip.

Tickets--(714) 634-2000