Finley Is in No Hurry to Talk About Contract Extension

Pitcher Chuck Finley has been on a roll since the nonwaiver trade deadline passed, but he doesn’t know what it will net him.

Finley, who will be a free agent, said he has yet to speak with General Manager Bill Bavasi about a new contract, but seemed open to the idea . . . when the time is right.

“We have more problems than that to worry about,” Finley said. “He still has things to do and I still have things to do. We don’t have the time right now. I want to finish the season strong. He’s trying to do what he can to help the team.”

Finley is making $5.8 million this season. The Angels are already committed to paying the last year on Tim Belcher’s two-year, $10.2 contract and owe Ken Hill at least one more season on his three-year $16.05 million contract, which includes an option year.

The 36-year old Finley has been more consistent of late, going 3-0 with a 1.19 earned-run average since the trade deadline passed. He was nearly sent to Cleveland, but the deal fell through.

Finley has been reluctant to talk about contract negotiations, even though he represents himself.

“My agent has gone on vacation,” Finley said. “He doesn’t answer his pages.”

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There will be no Ramon Ortiz--Pedro Martinez showdown in Boston this weekend. Manager Terry Collins will start Jarrod Washburn on Friday, Steve Sparks on Saturday and Belcher on Sunday, giving Ortiz an extra day of rest.

Ortiz has been compared to Martinez--both are about the same size, both have blazing fastballs and both are from the Dominican Republic. Ortiz also played on the same team with Martinez in the Dominican winter league and credits the Cy Young award winner with teaching him a slider.

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* Opponent--Toronto Blue Jays, two games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 51-73, Blue Jays 67-60.

* Record vs. Blue Jays--2-7.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

RAMON ORTIZ

(1-0, 1.13 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

PAT HENTGEN

(7-7, 5.42 ERA)

* Update--This will be Ortiz’s home debut. He shined in his first major league game, giving up one run in eight innings against Chicago Thursday. Ortiz was so impressive that he has made Collins cautious. “I have really seen Ramon pitch only that one time,” Collins said. “We saw [catcher] Ben Molina go three for three in his first major league game. It would have been unfair to compare him to Johnny Bench, just like it would be unfair to compare Ramon to Pedro Martinez. He has a great arm and a great future, but only time will tell.” Toronto seemed to be rolling two weeks ago, moving 14 games over .500 for the first time this season. The Blue Jays’ pitching has faltered since then and they have gone 2-9. They trail Oakland by two games in the wild-card race.

* Wednesday, 1 p.m.--Chuck Finley (8-10, 4.92) vs. Joey Hamilton (6-7, 6.47)