Outfielders May Interest Yankees

Though many clubs continue to show interest in Angel outfielders Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson and Darin Erstad, the Yankees do not have an offer on the table for any of them, according to one American League official with knowledge of the negotiations.

Neither do the Yankees have a standing offer from Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman, who continues to insist the Angels will open the season with Edmonds in center field.

It would not take much to thaw negotiations, however, as many Yankee officials are worried about the absence of Darryl Strawberry, and what effect that might have on their offense.

In the meantime, Edmonds is having a strong spring, evidence that playing out the final year of his contract might not be a distraction. He was hurt recently by critical statements from former teammate Chuck Finley, who suggested Edmonds did not always play to his full potential.

Still, Edmonds is batting .412 with a home run and four runs batted in, and has kept a smile on his face. Erstad, whose sore shoulder will keep him from playing defense for perhaps another week, is batting .381 and Anderson .333.

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Mike Colangelo, competing with Orlando Palmeiro for a reserve outfielder job, injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder and won’t be available for an unspecified time. . . . The Angels defeated the Colorado Rockies, 7-3, Saturday at Diablo Stadium. Scott Schoeneweis (1-1) gave up one run in four innings and Benji Gil, hoping to make the club as a utility infielder, hit an inside-the-park grand slam.