Was It an Elbow or a Battlefield?

Dr. Lewis Yocum told Manager Terry Collins that pitcher Mike James’ right elbow “looked like a grenade exploded in there,” after performing reconstructive surgery last week.

“They reconnected the [torn flexor] muscle, moved the [ulna] nerve, transferred a tendon [from his forearm to his elbow] and did the whole Tommy John thing,” said James, who had the hard cast removed Friday. “And, yeah, it hurts like heck.”

James, who has been on the disabled list since early May, had a 1.93 earned-run average in 11 appearances this season, his fourth with the club.

“I don’t look at this as a career-ending injury by any means,” he said, “but then again if I never pitch again in the majors, I could deal with that. Sure, I’d like to have another six years, but if this is the end, that would be OK too.

“I’ve reached one dream by getting to the major leagues, now maybe I’ll have to settle for going after my other dream, surfing all over the world.”

James could be sitting on a beach in Hawaii right now, but he isn’t planning any trips soon.

“I’m not going until I can paddle,” he said. “No way I’m making my first trip to Hawaii without being able to surf. I’m not going there to just hang out, man.”

Second baseman Randy Velarde will not go to triple-A Vancouver for at least a week, maybe longer. Velarde has soreness in his upper right arm, which Collins said was unrelated to the elbow injury that has limited him to two games this season.

“I’m not going anywhere until I’m ready,” Velarde said. “I have to build up my arm strength, that’s the No. 1 thing right now.”

The Angels continue to talk with the Cincinnati Reds about acquiring pitcher Pete Harnisch. The Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres are also in the running. The Reds reportedly have asked a steep price, outfielder Jim Edmonds or top minor league prospects, such as pitcher Scott Schoeneweis or outfielder Norm Hutchins.

The Angels cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by assigning catcher Angelo Encarnacion to double-A Midland on Friday. Encarnacion is on the 60-day disabled list because of an elbow injury.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ JARROD WASHBURN (4-2, 4.06 ERA) vs. BALTIMORE’S NERIO RODRIGUEZ (1-2, 7.30 ERA)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

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

* Update--Rookie second baseman Justin Baughman is two for his last 21 and his average has dropped to a season-low .243. Baughman now has 152 at bats, but doesn’t think opposing pitchers have learned a particular weakness. “I really don’t have the answer right now,” Baughman said. “If I did, I wouldn’t be in a slump. It’s just a slump and I’m going to break out of it.” Rodriguez lasted only 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs, against the Angels on April 28.