Velarde Both Pessimistic, Realistic

An MRI test and further examination of Randy Velarde’s reconstructed right elbow Friday showed no new damage to the ligament, but the Angel second baseman hardly seemed optimistic about returning this season.

“The way I feel right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to come back,” Velarde said by phone from Orange County, where he was examined Friday by Lewis Yocum, team physician. “But that’s premature. I’d be a fool to say no for sure.”

The MRI did show some damage to the flexor muscles around his elbow and the bone, and Velarde said his arm was as sore Friday as it was Thursday night, when he had to be taken out of the game against the Blue Jays in the sixth inning after homering in his first two games back from a 20-month absence.

Velarde, who sat out the entire 1997 season and the first six weeks of 1998, will be examined again Monday by orthopedist Frank Jobe, and there’s a chance he will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week.

Velarde’s pessimism stems from the fact that an initial MRI in March 1997 was similar to Friday’s results, and it wasn’t until exploratory surgery that doctors discovered the torn ligament in his elbow.

“When I took myself out [Thursday night] I thought, gosh, I snapped it again,” said Velarde, who will be put on the 15-day disabled list today. “The MRI showed differently, but the first one last year was similar, so I’m not ruling it out.”

If that’s the case, Velarde’s season--and, perhaps his career--may be over. And if that’s the case, the 35-year-old has no regrets.

“It’s been a great career, and I have nothing to be ashamed about,” Velarde said. “If it’s the end of the road . . . I’ve sat down with my family . . . I have nothing but thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to play. Baseball owes me nothing. I owe baseball everything.”

After more than a year of grueling rehabilitation, Velarde enjoyed an exhilarating return Wednesday night when he homered, singled and scored three runs to spark the Angels’ 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Angel Manager Terry Collins chose to look at the test results in a more positive light. “I was real happy with the report,” he said. “If it’s not torn, I think he can play again.”

But it will be on Collins’ terms. Velarde said he was “totally honest” when he said he felt strong enough to play Thursday night, but Collins wished he had not let Velarde talk him into starting him.

*

Pitcher Jack McDowell’s arm responded favorably to Thursday’s bullpen workout, the first time the right-hander had thrown off a mound since going on the disabled list April 27 because of an inflamed elbow.

Collins said if McDowell feels as good Monday after Sunday’s scheduled bullpen workout, he will return to the rotation next week, taking the place of either Omar Olivares or Jason Dickson.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Detroit Tigers, three games.

* Site--Tiger Stadium, Detroit.

* Today--10 a.m. PDT.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 20-19, Tigers 13-23.

* 1997 record vs. Tigers--2-1.

TODAY

ANGELS’ JASON DICKSON

(1-4, 8.10 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’ TIM WORRELL

(2-4, 5.91 ERA)

* Update--Collins, who grew up in Midland, Mich., about two hours from Detroit, and played college baseball at nearby Eastern Michigan University, couldn’t wait to visit Tiger Stadium as a manager for the first time last season. “Now, I’m not so sure,” Collins said. “It’s great to see friends, but you get pulled in so many directions it makes it tough.” Collins left 20 tickets for family and friends for a weekend game in 1997, “but a lot of others just showed up,” Collins said. “I saw guys I hadn’t seen in 25 years.” Dickson, fighting to keep his spot in the rotation, will make his first start since May 3. His last two appearances have come out of the bullpen.

* Sunday, 10 a.m.--Omar Olivares (1-1, 3.58) vs. Justin Thompson (2-5, 4.25).

* Monday, 4 p.m.--Allen Watson (3-3, 6.25) vs. Brian Moehler (3-3, 4.66).