Steinbach Goes on Disabled List

When Minnesota Twin catcher Terry Steinbach got to the UCI Medical Center’s radiology department Monday night, he was greeted by some quizzical looks from the X-ray technicians.

“They were surprised it wasn’t one of the Angels in there,” Steinbach said.

In what has to be classified as an upset in this injury-marred season, an Angel didn’t get the worst of a violent collision at home plate Monday night.

Todd Greene, the Angel who crashed into Steinbach--and was called out--while attempting to score the tying run, was “very sore,” but he was able to start in right field Tuesday night after being scratched from the catching spot.

Steinbach was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a right shoulder sprain, an injury Twin trainer Dick Martin said was similar to a separation. The veteran catcher is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.

Greene felt fortunate.

“What goes unnoticed when you’re catching is all the throws back to the pitcher,” Greene said. “Between the starting pitcher, the relievers and the warmup pitches between innings, you’ll make about 200 throws.

“I might have to make three or four throws in a game from right field. Plus, this is a team that is going to steal some bases. I don’t want to do something that will force me to be about for two weeks.”

Greene underwent surgery on his right shoulder after the 1997 season and went a 1 1/2 years without catching. After Monday night’s collision, in which Greene lowered his right shoulder into Steinbach, he began to reflect on all the hard work it took for him to return to catching.

“I only have about 60% of my biceps tendon left,” Greene said. “One direct blow could snap it. But all the soreness is in the [back of the shoulder], so that was a relief. Hopefully next time I’ll have the sense to go in with my left shoulder.”

*

Steinbach appreciated that Greene tried to contact him after Monday night’s game and left several messages at the Twins’ hotel Tuesday. He said there were no hard feelings.

“It was a clean play--I would have done the same thing if the situation was reversed,” Steinbach said. “He’s trying to score the tying run. That’s what he’s got to do.”

Even before Monday night’s game was over, the Twins began making arrangements to recall catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who was activated and joined the team Tuesday.

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Knuckleballer Steve Sparks threw eight shutout innings against Kansas City on Saturday before the three runners he was responsible for in the ninth scored on Scott Pose’s double off reliever Troy Percival in a 4-3 Angel victory.

Still, Manager Terry Collins said he will bypass Sparks in the rotation this week in order to keep his other four pitchers on a regular schedule.

With four off days in the next three weeks, ace Chuck Finley would have started once on five days’ rest and once on six days’ rest had Collins kept a five-man rotation.

Omar Olivares, Tim Belcher and Ken Hill will start this weekend’s interleague series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and Sparks will pitch against the San Francisco Giants next week.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (3-5, 5.15 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’ BRAD RADKE (4-4, 3.82 ERA)

Edison Field, 7:30 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Update--Today is a big day for right fielder and cleanup batter Tim Salmon, who will be examined after having the cast removed from his sprained left wrist. Doctors are expected to determine whether Salmon, who has been out since May 3, can begin a rehabilitation program that would put him on course to return in late June or if he should rest for a few more weeks before beginning his rehab. The Angels have always had problems with Radke, a right-hander who has a career 7-1 record and 1.57 ERA against the Angels.

* Tickets: (714) 663-9000.