Rocky Outing for Finley Against Colorado

Chuck Finley’s spring-training struggles continued in the Angels’ 9-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, but William VanLandingham enjoyed another promising outing, and his progress can only benefit the team.

VanLandingham pitched three scoreless innings in Tempe Diablo Stadium, giving up two hits, striking out one and walking one. The right-hander with a history of control problems threw four scoreless innings against San Diego on Saturday, giving up five hits and one walk.

VanLandingham is a longshot to make the team--the Angel rotation, barring injury, is set, and VanLandingham has minimal bullpen experience--but because he’s played more than three years in the big leagues, he would have to clear waivers before the Angels sent him to triple-A Vancouver.

That means the Angels could lose VanLandingham without receiving any compensation. And that makes him the most likely player to be traded in a potential deal for a second baseman to replace injured Randy Velarde.

The Angels are very interested in Rockies utility player Jason Bates, and Colorado would likely ask for a pitcher in return. So the better VanLandingham performs, the better his trade value.

Finley, meanwhile, gave up five runs on eight hits, including two homers, in five innings, and even though Norberto Martin’s second-inning error helped Colorado score four unearned runs, Finley was still hit hard.

“Because I missed the last six weeks of the season [because of a broken wrist] I’m a little behind,” Finley said. “The soreness I usually have [early in camp] I’m having now. It’s like my mind is telling me yes and my arm is telling me no. Everyone goes through this. I just have to catch up.”

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Phil Nevin had three hits, including a two-run homer, to pace the Angels’ 15-hit attack Wednesday. . . Third baseman Troy Glaus, who impressed Angel coaches with his raw power and smooth defense, was sent to minor league camp Wednesday along with pitchers Ramon Ortiz, Scott Schoeneweis and Mike Bovee and catcher Ben Molina.