Stocker on Disabled List; Baughman Is Called Up

Can the Angels really contend for a championship with a revolving door of shortstops? The door swung open again Friday, when the Angels put Kevin Stocker on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his left knee and promoted Justin Baughman from triple-A Edmonton.

Baughman, 25, hit .243 with no home runs and 15 stolen bases at Edmonton. Manager Mike Scioscia said Baughman and Benji Gil would split time at shortstop while Stocker rehabilitates his knee.

Baughman would become the fifth shortstop to start for the Angels this season, following Gil, Stocker, Gary DiSarcina and Keith Luuloa.

*

The Angels are rapidly developing a surplus of young pitching, the most coveted commodity in baseball. So would General Manager Bill Stoneman consider trading a young pitcher or two for short-term veteran help?

“That isn’t my intent right now,” Stoneman said. “From what I’ve seen of the young pitching we’ve got, compared to what others have, we’re in a pretty strong position right now. I’d like to maintain that rather than weaken it.

“I think we have to stay disciplined and build around our pitching.”

*

Quick quiz: In this year’s All-Star fan balloting, who has the most votes among American League outfielders? Bernie Williams of the New York Yankees? Manny Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians? Albert Belle of the Baltimore Orioles?

Would you believe Jermaine Dye of the Kansas City Royals?

“The first time I saw my name there, I was kind of in awe,” Dye said. “We have to deal with Cleveland, and all their sellouts, and the Yankees. I think it all boils down to me having a great year last year and having another great year this year.

“That, and having guys like Ken Griffey Jr. and Shawn Green in the National League.”

The Angels have not had a player voted into the All-Star game starting lineup since Wally Joyner in 1986, and their stars fully expect to finish behind players from such popular teams as the Yankees and Red Sox. But the Royals?

“Maybe the way they draw has an effect,” Tim Salmon said. “If you go to Cleveland, 98% of the people there are going to vote for Cleveland players.

“In this market, it seems more like half and half. They’re not just looking at the Angels. They’re looking at the whole game. That’s not a knock on our fans. But they’re not just partial to the Angel players.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KENT BOTTENFIELD

(4-5, 5.21 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’

ERIC MILTON

(6-2, 5.06 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

* Update--Milton faces the Angels for the first time since he no-hit them last September. Bottenfield, recovering from tendinitis in his right shoulder, will be activated from the disabled list today and make his first start since June 8. Three players from USC’s 1995 College World Series team started Friday: Angel pitcher Seth Etherton, Minnesota catcher Chad Moeller and Minnesota outfielder Jacque Jones. Angel pitcher Brian Cooper also played on that team.

* Tickets--(714) 634-9000.