Top Prospect Ortiz Breaks Elbow

One of the Angels’ prized pitching prospects, double-A right-hander Ramon Ortiz, probably will sit out the rest of this season after suffering a broken right elbow.

Ortiz, a hard-throwing 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was 2-1 with a 5.55 earned-run average in seven starts for Midland, striking out 53 in 47 innings, but he began developing elbow problems in late April.

The pain and swelling grew progressively worse, and an MRI test in early May revealed the break. Ortiz was sent to the Angels’ extended spring training camp in Mesa, Ariz., for rehabilitation.

“It’s not good news,” said Jeff Parker, the Angels’ director of player development. “We’re going to take it real slow with him this year. We want to be real conservative and give him time to heal.”

Ortiz, who went 11-10 with a 3.58 ERA and led all minor league pitchers with 225 strikeouts in 181 innings for Class-A Cedar Rapids, has drawn comparisons to a young Pedro Martinez because of his slight stature (6 feet, 165 pounds) and his explosive, 95-mph fastball.

He has not had any previous arm or elbow problems, but Parker said it’s possible Ortiz may need surgery to correct this injury.

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American League President Gene Budig today will announce his disciplinary action against the Angels and Kansas City Royals for their fight-marred game Tuesday night, and there is a fear among the Angels that the punishment will be severe.

Catcher Phil Nevin, who charged the mound after being hit in the back of the neck by Royal reliever Jim Pittsley, reliever Rich DeLucia, who hit Dean Palmer in retaliation for Nevin, and Jack McDowell, who punched Royal infielder Felix Martinez several times, are expected to draw suspensions.

It will be interesting to see how Budig deals with Gary DiSarcina, Ken Hill and Damon Mashore, all of whom chased down and tackled Martinez after the Royal sucker-punched Frank Bolick in the mouth.

Will Budig side with the three Angels, believing they were provoked into the attack? Or will he suspend them nonetheless for fighting?

“I don’t know what to expect,” Manager Terry Collins said, “but there are indications the league wants to set an example.”

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Pitcher Chuck Finley, who was traveling from Orange County to Seattle on Tuesday night, seemed disappointed that he missed the rumble with the Royals.

“I’ve always been known to mix it up a bit,” Finley said. “But there’s a good side and a bad side to not being there.

“I know I would have been slap-dab in the middle of it all, but I also could have gotten hurt. I’ve never come out of one of those without something wrong.”

Finley watched replays of the brawl and was impressed with his teammates for going after Martinez.

“They looked like a bunch of wild dogs going after a piece of meat,” Finley said. “Then that dude [Martinez] pops up and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s what they’re after.’ ”

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For those wondering why William VanLandingham, who entered spring training as a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, has not been recalled to boost the pitching staff, it’s because he went 0-6 with an 11.23 ERA for triple-A Vancouver, walking 44 and striking out 12 in 33 2/3 innings.

VanLandingham was demoted to double-A Midland on Thursday.

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The Angels signed pitcher Mark Mimbs to a minor league contract, and the left-hander will join Vancouver’s rotation.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West Saturday night.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090), KIK-FM (94.3).

* Records--Angels 31-26, Rockies 26-34.

* Record vs. Rockies--0-0 (1-3 in 1997).

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ JASON DICKSON (4-4, 6.64 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ BOBBY JONES (1-0, 4.55 ERA)

* Update--A bullpen that has been the source of so much Angel angst has given Collins reason to smile this past week. In the eight games before Thursday night, Angel relievers combined to go 2-0 with a 2.28 earned-run average and four Troy Percival saves, giving up six earned runs in 23 2/3 innings. A big part of that resurgence has been right-hander Rich DeLucia, who has given up one earned run in his last 6 2/3 innings. “There’s a different attitude, definitely,” DeLucia said. “I’m concentrating more on getting ahead, using all my pitches, not trying to nit-pick as much.” Third baseman Vinny Castilla, who ranks second in the National League with 22 homers, leads the Rockies, who have been much better on the road (16-16) than at home (10-18).

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Omar Olivares (2-2, 3.14) vs. Darryl Kile (5-7, 4.60).

Sunday, 5 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (1-0, 0.00) vs. Jamey Wright (4-6, 6.43).

Tickets--(714) 634-2000.