Fullerton Roughs Up Dickson

Jason Dickson’s uneven spring still allowed him to claim a place in the Angel rotation, but he won’t enter the season seamlessly.

The former All-Star gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings against Cal State Fullerton Sunday at Titan Field. The Angels gave the regulars the day off and flew in 15 minor leaguers from Arizona to play against Fullerton. The Angels won, 15-7.

Though many used wood bats for the first time, the Titans had nine hits against Dickson, who last week passed the year anniversary of his shoulder surgery.

The perennially upbeat Dickson shrugged, said he was happy to throw about 90 pitches, and contended that he had “good stuff today.” The last pitch he threw landed beyond the fence in right-center field, courtesy of Murph Norris.

Dickson gave up three runs in the first inning and four in the fifth.

“I’m going out there trying to get my work in,” Dickson said. “I made the pitches I wanted to make. I wanted to get ready for Friday night.”

Dickson, a control pitcher, was erratic, particularly early and late.

“It’s hard to set [college] guys up, especially for a guy like me who throws a lot of off-speed stuff and spots his fastball.”

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Left-hander Jarrod Washburn, on the disabled list because of a strained right side, pitched for the first time since March 7 and appears ahead of schedule.

He pitched three hitless innings against Fullerton and at one point struck out eight consecutive batters.

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Center fielder Garret Anderson suffered from flu symptoms and did not attend Sunday’s game.

Anderson, who batted .377 with six home runs and 22 runs batted in in 22 spring games, should be available for tonight’s season opener, team officials said. Anderson went to Edison Field Sunday morning, was treated and then was sent home to recuperate.

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Bernie Williams, the Yankees’ Gold Glove center fielder, has a strained right triceps that he says only hurts when he throws. Therefore, he will be the designated hitter tonight. Ricky Ledee will move to center and Shane Spencer will start in left.

Lance Johnson, released by the Cleveland Indians Thursday, was the Yankees’ final roster addition.