Hill Expected to Have Surgery Soon

The Angels knew Ken Hill had a bone spur in his right elbow when they traded for him last July, and they knew he’d need surgery after this season even before they signed him to a four-year $22-million contract in November.

“Unfortunately that timetable has been moved up,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said Thursday. “There’s a good chance he’s going to need surgery now.”

X-rays did not reveal any bone chips in Hill’s elbow, but two bone spurs are irritating him to the point where he will likely need surgery, which would sideline him for at least six to eight weeks.

Hill will be examined today by Dr. John Conway, the Texas Rangers’ team physician, and he’ll make a decision on surgery by the end of the weekend. He will definitely miss his next scheduled start Monday, and is expected to join fellow starters Jack McDowell and Allen Watson on the disabled list today.

“If we lose Ken, you’re talking about losing three-fifths of your rotation coming out of spring training,” Manager Terry Collins said. “That’s a huge hit. But I also said in spring training that every season there’s a surprise. Right now that surprise is Omar Olivares, who has come up huge for us. Another one might be coming Monday. We certainly could use it.”

Collins has several options for Monday, but the most likely is knuckleballer Steve Sparks, a right-hander who is 0-3 but has a 1.80 earned-run average in three starts (20 innings) for triple-A Vancouver.

It’s possible prospect Scott Schoeneweis could be recalled, but the Rangers are hitting .353 against left-handers.

Plan C would be to use Shigetoshi Hasegawa, but with relievers Rich DeLucia and Mike Holtz scheduled to serve two-game suspensions next week, Collins is hesitant about putting another dent in the bullpen.

“We have some real serious problems,” Collins said.

With Tim Salmon hobbled because of a foot injury, the Angels aren’t about to trade Jim Edmonds or Garret Anderson for a pitcher, and an abundance of injuries--at the big league and minor league levels--has crippled the organization to a certain extent.

“We’re not dealing from a position of strength in terms of trades,” Bavasi said. “And the unfortunate thing is we’re all looking for the same thing. You talk to clubs, and they’re all looking for pitching.

“But I’m not going to trade for someone who is not better than what we have now. Sparks is doing the job, and Schoeneweis knows how to pitch.”

*

When Hill undergoes surgery, it will be the first operation of any kind during a 14-year professional career that began in 1985, so the final decision on when to operate will be his.

“The future definitely plays into the decision. . . . I have to do what’s best for me and the team,” Hill said. “I can’t leave the manager and the team wondering whether I’m going to go three innings or seven innings every time out. We need someone who can give more than what I’m giving. I’m not doing any good by pitching hurt. I’ll just hurt myself and the team.”

*

With Phil Nevin starting his three-game suspension today for charging the mound in Kansas City on June 2, the Angels recalled triple-A catcher Ben Molina after Thursday night’s game.

Molina, who is expected to replace Hill on the roster, will stay with the Angels through Sunday, after which he’ll be sent to Vancouver to make room for another pitcher.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, four games.

* Site--The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

* Tonight--5:30 PDT.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight, Saturday night and Monday night.

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

* Records--Angels 36-27, Rangers 39-25.

* 1997 record vs. Rangers--8-4.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

OMAR OLIVARES

(3-2, 2.89 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’

JOHN BURKETT

(4-5, 6.30 ERA)

* Update--Since moving from the bullpen to the rotation on May 1, Olivares has gone 2-2 with a 2.85 ERA in eight starts. The right-hander also leads the American League in double plays induced (13) and batting average allowed with runners in scoring position--.105 (six for 57). He’ll have his hands full with Ranger right fielder Juan Gonzalez, who leads the major leagues with 80 RBIs, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who leads the major leagues with a .379 average. Texas Manager Johnny Oates shuffled his rotation so left-hander Darren Oliver, who has a 2-1 career record and 3.82 ERA against the Angels, will face them twice in six days. Texas closer John Wetteland is 18 for 20 in save opportunities--he suffered his second blown save Wednesday night--and has walked only two batters in 25 2/3 innings.

* Saturday, 5:30 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (1-0, 2.13) vs. Aaron Sele (9-3, 3.53).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Chuck Finley (7-2, 2.65) vs. Rick Helling (8-3, 4.62).

* Monday, 5:30 p.m.--TBA vs. Darren Oliver (3-5, 7.01).