Loss of DiSarcina Hurts

It’s not just the ultra-reliable defense, the solid offense from the No. 9 spot, the knowledge of opposing hitters and the eight years of big league experience that the Angels will miss with shortstop Gary DiSarcina on the disabled list.

“I don’t think it’s something you can put into words,” left fielder Darin Erstad said. “It just seems like when he’s around, that little extra focus, that little extra concentration, is there. . . .

“The word ‘leadership’ is thrown around a lot. You can’t really describe what that means or mimic it. It just happens, and DiSar has that gift.”

It’s a gift the Angels might not open for a long time--and maybe never again. DiSarcina will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder Thursday, and there is growing speculation that he has a rotator-cuff problem.

Even if doctors don’t find anything that needs repair, DiSarcina will be out for a minimum of six weeks. A rotator cuff or labrum tear would probably sideline him for the rest of the season, which would cloud not only the Angels’ pennant hopes but DiSarcina’s future as an Angel.

DiSarcina is in the final year of a four-year, $11.7-million contract that includes a $3.45-million option for 2001 that would become guaranteed if he makes 1,200 plate appearances in the deal’s final three seasons.

But DiSarcina has only 900 plate appearances since 1998, and unless he returns by midseason and plays the second half, he will not reach 1,200 and would become a free agent after the season.

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The Angels have remained in the thick of the American League West for the last two weeks despite losing starting pitchers Ken Hill, Jason Dickson and Kent Mercker to the disabled list, and Tim Belcher still hasn’t pitched because of an elbow problem.

Can they survive the loss of DiSarcina?

“I believe we can,” Erstad said. “There’s nothing this team hasn’t been through. We’ve all struggled, played through injuries, played short-handed, and we battle every day. It’s pretty obvious there’s no quit in this team.”

Erstad did add that “it’s no secret our record hasn’t been good when he hasn’t played.”

Andy Sheets was a decent defensive replacement when DiSarcina missed almost three months of 1999 because of a broken forearm but hit only .197 with 29 runs batted in. The Angels held an 11-game lead on Aug. 3, 1995, when DiSarcina was sidelined because of torn ligaments in his left thumb and blew the lead in his absence.

The Angels are grooming speedster Justin Baughman at triple-A Edmonton as a possible replacement, but right now the job belongs to Benji Gil, who is hitting .225 with nine errors.

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With reliever Mark Petkovsek (viral syndrome) on the disabled list, Manager Mike Scioscia is leaning toward returning Al Levine, who started Saturday, to the bullpen. Levine’s rotation spot, which comes up Friday in Kansas City, would probably be filled by triple-A pitchers Seth Etherton, Matt Wise or Scot Shields or current Angel relievers Brett Hinchliffe or Mike Fyhrie. . . . Belcher, whose return from elbow surgery was sidetracked in late April, threw for 20 minutes in the bullpen Tuesday and reported no problems. He will throw batting practice Friday and a simulated game early next week in hopes of returning to his minor league rehabilitation assignment at the end of next week.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(1-1, 5.84 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’

MARK REDMAN

(3-0, 3.89 ERA)

Metrodome, Minneapolis, 5 PDT

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

* Update--Washburn provided the Angels with a rare quality start against Kansas City on Friday, giving up three earned runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 6-4 victory. Redman is a rookie left-hander with a 91-mph fastball and a good changeup.