Velarde to Get Treatment, but No Surgery on Elbow

A CT-scan Monday revealed a “stress reaction” in Randy Velarde’s right elbow, but doctors told the Angel second baseman surgery won’t be required.

“From what I understand, any type of surgery would have meant the end of my season,” said Velarde, who missed the 1997 season because of elbow reconstruction surgery. “I didn’t want to go that route.”

Velarde, who hopes to return within a month, will be fitted today with a bone stimulator, a castlike device with electrodes, to help promote healing.

“This whole healing process has been tough,” Velarde, 35, said. “My patience is wearing thin, but what can you do? I’m not going to throw in the towel.”

Manager Terry Collins said he could understand Velarde’s frustration, “but I think his career is far from over,” he said. “I thought he tore the ligament again, but the medical reports didn’t show that. That, to me, was good news.”

*

The Angels have lost 10 of their last 14 games. . . . Angel reliever Rich DeLucia, who gave up four runs in 1 2/3 innings Monday night, has a 9.84 lifetime ERA against Detroit, giving up 35 earned runs in 32 innings. . . . Outfielder Darin Erstad has played the last few days with a sore throwing shoulder. “The best thing for him would be rest,” Collins said, “but that isn’t going to fly.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Oakland Athletics, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

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

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight-Thursday.

* Records--Angels 21-21, A’s 19-23.

* 1997 Record vs. A’s--11-1.

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (4-1, 2.74 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ KENNY ROGERS (6-2, 3.90 ERA)

* Update--The Angels dominated the season series against the A’s last season, but Finley has had his problems with Oakland over the years. The Angel left-hander has a career record of 7-17 with a 3.98 ERA against the A’s, many of those losses coming when Oakland featured the likes of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco. Jack McDowell on the disabled list since April 27, will return to the rotation this week.

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Ken Hill (6-2, 4.42) vs. Mike Oquist (0-2, 5.18).

Thursday, 7 p.m.--Jason Dickson (2-4, 8.07) vs. Blake Stein (1-1, 1.29).