Weather Is a Big Concern

What began as a comfortable, sunny morning Tuesday quickly turned into a cold, windy, rainy day in Tempe, Ariz., wiping out much of another Angel workout, an occurrence Manager Terry Collins fears will be repeated far too often this spring.

The weather wasn’t so much a factor the first two weeks of camp because pitchers could throw inside, but with an exhibition scheduled tonight against Arizona State and Cactus League play beginning Friday, a wet March in the Phoenix area could wreak havoc on preparations for the season.

The biggest challenge for Collins and pitching coach Marcel Lachemann will be juggling plans so all Angel starters and relievers can get regular work. Collins is also concerned he might not see enough of the pitchers and players battling for jobs to make fair assessments.

“We have way too many guys who need work to start missing games,” Collins said. “They tell me it’s supposed to be like this the rest of the spring. It’s tough coming off last year, when we were so spoiled. Our first game against BYU got rained out, and that was the last drop we saw.”

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The Angels and the agent for pitcher Jack McDowell exchanged contract proposals in the last two days and seem to be moving closer to an agreement.

The Angels’ initial offer to McDowell, the 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner trying to rebound from elbow surgery, was $500,000 and another $500,000 if he makes the team.

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Most Angel regulars will start and get at least one at-bat against Arizona State tonight, but Collins will pitch youngster Scott Schoeneweis instead of Chuck Finley. “If Chuck is going to take a line drive off someone it’s going to be a Brewer or a Giant, not a Sun Devil,” Collins said.