Angels’ Harris Lost for ’99 After Major Elbow Surgery

The Angels may think twice about sending players to winter leagues after losing one more to a major injury.

Reliever Pep Harris underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow Monday and will sit out the 1999 season. Harris, 26, suffered a torn ligament in late October pitching for the Lara Cardinals of the Venezuelan Winter League.

Second baseman Justin Baughman broke his lower left leg in five places in a collision with his right fielder during a Mexican Winter League game in early November, and the speedster will be sidelined four to six months.

“It’s just a shame, because you preach and preach to some of these guys how important it is to play winter ball, and then this happens,” Manager Terry Collins said. “It doesn’t make us look good.”

Harris was one of the Angels’ most consistent relievers in 1997, going 5-4 with a 3.62 earned-run average in 61 games. A shoulder injury limited him to 49 games in 1998, when he went 3-1.

The Angels sent Harris to Venezuela to build up his stamina, hoping he could win a spot in the rotation next season. But the recovery period for the “Tommy John” surgery he needed is 12 to 18 months.

The Angels also learned Tuesday that their bid for free-agent catcher Carlos Hernandez was unsuccessful. Hernandez will re-sign with the San Diego Padres, after agreeing to a three-year, $6.5-million deal. The Angels had offered Hernandez a two-year contract.