Ortiz Accepts Demotion After Rough Beginning

Angel pitcher Ramon Ortiz will start again Saturday. Just not in Anaheim. Ortiz will be in Fresno, pitching for triple-A Edmonton, after the Angels demoted the struggling right-hander Wednesday and recalled left-hander Jarrod Washburn to take his rotation spot.

“Ramon has the potential to be a premier pitcher in this league,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “For him to reach that level, this is the best course to take. We’re trying to rebuild his confidence.”

Ortiz, who went 2-2 with a 6.90 earned-run average in six starts, walking 20 and striking out 21 in 30 innings, needs to regain his command, as well. The slight tear in his labrum, diagnosed in spring training, has not been a problem--Ortiz’s fastball has been hitting 92-94 mph on the speed gun.

But Ortiz, the Angels’ top pitching prospect for several years, is throwing far too many pitches in the prime hitting zone, which is why he has given up nine home runs.

“You have a guy trying to throw 98 mph when all he throws is 92-94,” Scioscia said. “He’s trying to throw too hard and losing command. That’s counter-productive. Command isn’t just throwing strikes, it’s location within the strike zone.”

Ortiz, 24, took his demotion in stride, saying he was consoled by the fact that his two idols, Pedro and Ramon Martinez, were both demoted to triple A after their first big league stints.

“It doesn’t feel good, but I understand the reason I’m going down,” Ortiz said. “Someone else might pout and not report for a week. I want to go to work right away. I’m going to try to do what Mike Scioscia and [pitching coach] Bud Black said. I need better command of my pitches, to throw them inside and outside, up and down.”

Scioscia, Black and General Manager Bill Stoneman agreed that Ortiz will have a better chance of finding his command and confidence in a less-pressure-packed atmosphere.

“I expect this guy to come back here and be a star in the big leagues for years to come,” Scioscia said. “This is a decision to help Ramon and us. He’s comfortable with it and realizes he needs to get those parts of his game ironed out.”

*

Washburn, a left-hander who opened the season on the disabled list, had a 3-0 record and 3.52 ERA in five starts at Edmonton and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a 4-2 win over Memphis on Sunday. He will start against Texas on Saturday, and Jason Dickson, who is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday, is the tentative starter for Sunday.

But Scioscia and Black want to see how Dickson responds after today’s bullpen workout before finalizing their decision. It’s possible the Angels may want Dickson, sidelined because of a strained right hip flexor, to make one minor league rehabilitation start before rejoining the rotation.

If so, Mike Fyhrie, who replaced the injured Ken Hill on the roster Tuesday night, likely would start Sunday. With Washburn, the Angels have three left-handers--Kent Mercker and Scott Schoeneweis are the others--in the rotation.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, four games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7

* TV--Fox Sports Net tonight, Saturday night and Sunday.

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

* Records--Angels 17-18, Rangers 15-18.

* 1999 record vs. Rangers--7-5.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KENT

MERCKER

(0-1, 5.06 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’

KENNY

ROGERS

(3-3, 4.76 ERA)

* Update--Though the Rangers traded slugger Juan Gonzalez to Detroit, they entered Wednesday’s game leading the league with a .299 average. First baseman David Segui has been a key addition, hitting .387 with 21 RBIs, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, the 1999 American League MVP, is batting .336 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs. The Angels were hit hard by injuries to pitcher Ken Hill and shortstop Gary DiSarcina this week, but Texas is still without left fielder Rusty Greer (ankle and hamstring injuries), second baseman Frank Catalanotto (pulled groin) and outfielder Gabe Kapler (torn thigh muscle) and lost pitcher Justin Thompson (shoulder injury) for the season.

* Friday, 7 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (4-1, 3.99) vs. Doug Davis (0-1, 9.00)

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (2000 debut) vs. Rick Helling (4-1, 2.44).

* Sunday, 1 p.m.--Jason Dickson (2-2, 4.73) vs. Esteban Loaiza (1-1, 3.41).

* Tickets: (714) 663-9000.