DiSarcina to Have Arthroscopic Surgery

Unable to explain the recurring weakness in his throwing shoulder, Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina will have exploratory arthroscopic surgery Thursday at UCI Medical Center in Orange.

He will be sidelined at least six more weeks and possibly longer, depending on the findings of Dr. Lewis Yocum. DiSarcina already has sat out 32 of the club’s 44 games.

Noninvasive diagnostic tools and vascular and orthopedic specialists were unable to pinpoint the cause of DiSarcina’s problems.

“At this point . . . he hasn’t reported a lot of pain,” Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “It’s been more of a weakness. This just doesn’t jibe with normal injuries like [rotator] cuff problems or labrum problems. That’s why they’ve looked for everything else.

“This is not the way you want to rule out something. But, they’ve ruled out everything else. It’s kind of the last step.”

DiSarcina sat out half of last season because of a broken left forearm suffered in spring training when he was hit accidentally with a fungo bat. He got off the disabled list June 22 and batted a career-low .229 and committed 15 errors in 81 games.

He returned to camp this year eager to improve on those numbers. He batted .395 in 12 games. But, as his shoulder weakened and he became uncomfortable throwing the ball, he committed five errors.

The Angels turn in the short term to Benji Gil, who is batting .224 and has nine errors in 36 games. If DiSarcina is sidelined for the season, it appears that Justin Baughman will be given a chance at the job.

“Gil has been OK,” Stoneman said. “The one real bright spot is Baughman really picked it up at shortstop in triple A. He’s probably the top candidate, long term, and he is playing very well. So, it’s not all doom and gloom.”

DiSarcina is in the final year of a four-year, $11.7-million contract. The club holds a $3.45-million option for next season that would become guaranteed if DiSarcina made 1,200 plate appearances in the contract’s final three seasons.

*

Mark Petkovsek, the Angels’ most reliable reliever last season, will be put on the 15-day disabled list today because of viral syndrome, the club announced Monday.

Manager Mike Scioscia’s pitching staff also has Jason Dickson, Tim Belcher, Ken Hill and Kent Mercker on the disabled list, and Ramon Ortiz with a sore back in the minor leagues.

The Petkovsek transaction is retroactive to May 17. He will be eligible to return to the bullpen June 1.

ON DECK * Opponent--Minnesota Twins, three games.

* Site--Metrodome, Minneapolis.

* Tonight--5.

* TV--None.

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

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ BRIAN COOPER (0-0, 0.00) vs. TWINS’ JOE MAYS (1-5, 5.14)

* Update--Cooper’s triple-A numbers wouldn’t suggest the Angels rush him to the big leagues. He was 3-4 with a 5.74 earned-run average in eight starts for Edmonton. But club officials saw a change in his approach, and consecutive solid starts earned Cooper the promotion. “The reports are really good,” Stoneman said. “He’s apparently moving the fastball in and out now really well. If he’s challenging hitters, he’s going to do well.”

* Wednesday, 5 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (4-2, 5.46) vs. Mark Redman (3-0, 3.89).

* Thursday, 10 a.m.--Al Levine (1-0, 3.71) vs. Brad Radke (3-4, 4.22).

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.