There’s More Trouble on the Hill

It has reached the point where even Ken Hill can’t live in denial any more. After his performance Wednesday--eight runs in 3 1/3 innings--he was ready to admit his elbow hurt.

Hill underwent a CT scan Thursday that revealed no damage in his elbow. He will undergo treatment. “It’s a little bit of the same pain,” said Hill, who left his previous start because of “tightness” in his elbow. “I’m pretty much day to day. I’m not going to get any better unless I rest it. Maybe that’s an option at this point. I’ll talk to [Manager] Terry [Collins] and see what happens. I need the rest.”

That can’t be comforting for Collins. He is already without Tim Belcher, sidelined at least three weeks because of a broken finger, and losing Hill would further deplete the starting rotation.

Still, it’s not as if Hill’s pain is a surprise, even if Collins said Hill was OK after Wednesday’s game.

Hill left after two innings in Seattle on June 23. An examination revealed arthritis in the elbow. Hill had elbow surgery last season, which limited him to 19 starts.

If Hill has to be put on the disabled list, or even skips one start, it puts the Angels in a difficult position and will almost certainly hasten Mike Fyhrie’s arrival from triple-A Edmonton.

Fyhrie, who is 8-4 with a 3.49 earned-run average, was already being considered with Belcher sidelined. The Angels will have an opening in the rotation either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending whether Steve Sparks can pitch on three days’ rest.

Fyhrie pitched Thursday, after having his start delayed a day. That could make him ready for a Tuesday start with the Angels.

Hill’s next scheduled start was Monday. If he can’t pitch, the Angels may need more than Fyhrie. The problem is, the starting pitching is thin in Edmonton.

General Manager Bill Bavasi said Wednesday he would not bring Ramon Ortiz from double-A Erie, at least until he gets some triple-A experience. Ortiz, who has won nine consecutive games, will go to Edmonton this weekend and is scheduled to start for the Trappers on Sunday.

*

Todd Greene has not caught since June 12 and has been behind the plate only twice since May 29. He hasn’t even played the outfield in the last week, as he was used as the designated hitter the last six games.

Greene said his surgically repaired shoulder is fine and Bavasi said the the Angels are just being cautious.

“At this point, he doesn’t have an everyday catcher’s shoulder,” Bavasi said. “We are going to be judicious about it. We need it to hold up the whole season. But where he plays is not up to me. That’s Terry Collins’ job.”

Greene has played in 17 of the last 18 games.

“It doesn’t matter where I play,” he said. “Besides, being the designated hitter isn’t easy. You have to keep yourself ready. I was a designated hitter in the minors when I wasn’t catching, so I probably can handle it a little better.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Oakland Athletics, three games.

* Site--Oakland Coliseum.

* Tonight--7:30.

* TV--Channel 9, all three games.

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

* Records--Angels 35-42, Athletics 38-40.

* Record vs. Athletics--4-2.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (3-5, 4.93 ERA)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ KENNY ROGERS (4-3, 3.86 ERA)

* Update--The Athletics, who surprised most this season, are seven games out of first place in the American League West, settling in at the Angels’ level. They had lost six in a row before beating the Mariners on Wednesday and Thursday.

* Saturday, 6:15 p.m.--Angels’ Chuck Finley (4-8, 5.17) vs. Athletics’ Gil Heredia (3-5, 5.52).

* Sunday, 1:30 p.m.--Angels’ Omar Olivares (6-6, 3.39) vs. Athletics’ Mike Oquist (6-6, 5.14).