Greene to Sit Out Rest of Season

Any hope Todd Greene had of playing this season were dashed Thursday when the Angels announced Greene will undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery, a decision Greene, Manager Terry Collins and General Manager Bill Bavasi believe will assure Greene returns at full strength for 1999.

The Angels had kept Greene around for several weeks in case designated hitter Tim Salmon blew out the partially torn ligament in his left foot, because Greene, who can’t play the field, is strong enough to hit.

But by committing Greene to surgery, which he hopes to have “as soon as I can,” and will require a four-month rehabilitation process, the Angels lose a potentially strong replacement should Salmon be disabled.

“The picture in my mind is, next week Tim rounds first and his foot goes out, and Greene’s arm is in a sling,” said Collins, shellshocked from all the injuries this season. “That’s just the manager talking.”

Greene had surgery on his right shoulder last October but tried to come back too soon in spring training and suffered a setback that sidelined him for almost two months. He had another relapse catching for triple-A Vancouver on May 23, after which he acknowledged his catching career might be over.

Greene began taking ground balls at first base, but the Angels already have Cecil Fielder and Darin Erstad at that position.

“There’s no room for me,” Greene said. “I want to be playing--I could DH now, and they know that. But I don’t want to miss one day next season. Hopefully this will ensure that I’ll be ready to go full speed next spring. I’m going to win a job somewhere next year. I just don’t know where.”

Greene’s immediate future will depend on how Salmon recovers from his injury and whether the Angels re-sign Fielder, who is under a one-year contract. “I want this guy healthy,” Collins said, “because down the road he’s going to be a big factor on this club.”

Greene said it didn’t make sense for him to jeopardize next season to get 50 or so at-bats this season. “There comes a time when you have to look ahead,” Greene, 26, said. “It was a hard decision, but I have to get ready for 1999, and that’s what this boils down to.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight, Channel 11 Saturday.

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

* Records--Angels 42-28, Rangers 41-30.

* Record vs. Rangers--3-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

CHUCK FINLEY

(7-3, 2.83 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’

RICK HELLING

(9-3, 4.42 ERA)

* Update--Angel pitcher Jason Dickson suffered a broken right index finger during pitchers’ batting practice Wednesday and is questionable for his next start Sunday. . . . What the Angels thought was a stress reaction in Randy Velarde’s injured elbow actually is a stress fracture, meaning the second baseman’s chances of returning this season are slim.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Steve Sparks (1-0, 5.40) vs. Todd Van Poppel (1998 debut).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Jason Dickson (7-4, 5.43) vs. Matt Perisho (0-1, 23.14).

Tickets--(714) 634-2000.