DiSarcina to Return Tonight

A team badly needing a spark, not to mention a shred of good news, will get both tonight when shortstop Gary DiSarcina, yet to play in 1999 because of a broken forearm, is activated for a three-game series in Seattle.

DiSarcina was hitless in two at-bats of the Angels’ 10-4, six-inning exhibition loss to their double-A team in Erie, Pa., Monday, and he flew to Seattle with the Angels after the game.

“I don’t think there’s ever a savior in baseball, but maybe I’ll be a little different look for them,” said DiSarcina, voted most valuable player by his teammates in 1998.

“One person can help out somewhat. You can’t expect the same production [as last season] right away. But hopefully by playing and getting better each day I can make a contribution.”

DiSarcina’s rehabilitation stint included four games at Class-A Lake Elsinore and six at Erie. Getting his legs in game shape was as big a concern as his forearm, and DiSarcina felt he made huge strides playing nine innings on consecutive nights Friday and Saturday.

“The first 15 to 25 at-bats were a battle, but it’s coming slowly,” said DiSarcina, who went four for 16 at Erie. “Lately, I felt the swings I was taking were more aggressive, and I was swinging at better pitches.”

Angel Manager Terry Collins said he’s prepared to use Andy Sheets or Jeff Huson as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch-hitter if necessary.

“Gary may not be a Nomar Garciaparra or Derek Jeter offensively, but he means as much to our team as those guys do to their teams,” Collins said. “We want to get him back in our lineup . . . he means a lot to us as an inspirational guy on our club.”

*

Jack McDowell took what he hopes is the first major step toward a possible return by throwing two innings against Erie on Monday, giving up two runs on five hits, walking one and striking out two during a 47-pitch stint.

“The results weren’t as important as how I felt, and I felt good,” said McDowell, who missed 2 1/2 months of 1998 and all of ’99 so far because of elbow and shoulder problems.

McDowell will likely join Lake Elsinore this week with the intention of building up enough endurance to throw six or seven innings. That will take at least four or five starts.

“I’ve pitched partial years the past three years,” said McDowell, the 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner who hinted at retirement last summer. “I’m either going to have an extended stay healthy or I’m going to shut it down.”

*

Don’t read too much into the Angels losing to Erie. Doug Bridges, a left-hander from Class-A Cedar Rapids who was brought in to pitch for the Angels, gave up six runs in two innings. . . . Angel third baseman Troy Glaus hit 13 homers to win a pregame home run-hitting contest. Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer in the game. . . . With his 19th save Sunday, Angel closer Troy Percival became the Angels’ all-time saves leader with 127 in less than five years, moving him one ahead of Bryan Harvey.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Seattle Mariners, three games.

* Site--Kingdome, Seattle.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight, Thursday; ESPN Wednesday.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090), KCTD (1540).

* Records--Angels 30-38, Mariners 35-34.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (2-5, 5.24 ERA)

vs.

MARINERS’ FREDDY GARCIA (8-3, 4.48 ERA)

* Update--Seattle Manager Lou Piniella’s plan to move Jeff Fassero from the rotation to the bullpen didn’t last long. Fassero, who has given up 25 home runs, made two relief appearances, including one Monday night at Cleveland, but he will start Thursday. . . . Some things never change: Former Angel pitcher Allen Watson, traded from the Mets to the Mariners, gave up a home run before he threw a strike in his Seattle debut Saturday. Of the first nine Indian batters Watson faced, three hit home runs. . . . Seattle, led by Ken Griffey (.325, 26 homers, 71 RBIs), leads the league in home runs and is second in team batting average, but the Mariners team earned-run average, pushing 6.00, is the league’s worst by far.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Ken Hill (3-6, 4.76) vs. John Halama (5-2, 3.79).

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Chuck Finley (4-7, 4.18) vs. Jeff Fassero (3-7, 7.14).