Rocky Outing for Finley Against Colorado

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

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

“He’s throwing strikes, keeping the ball down and getting a lot of ground balls,” Manager Terry Collins said. “He’s looked very good.”

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 could send 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 the injured Randy Velarde.

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

Finley 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, and the Angel catcher also threw out Sherman Obando attempting to steal second in the third inning. Nine Angel hits and eight runs came off Colorado ace Darryl Kile. . . . 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. In other roster moves, pitcher Jarrod Washburn, outfielder Norm Hutchins and shortstop Nelson Castro were optioned to Angel minor league teams to be determined, and outfielder Patrick Lennon, who hit .333 with one homer in eight games, was released. . . . The Angels are off today and will resume Cactus League play Friday with games against the A’s at Phoenix and the White Sox in Tucson.