Canseco Says He Deserves Answer

Jose Canseco has not kept track of the numbers. Others have for him.

Canseco, who was released by the Angels at the end of spring training, is batting .302 with 10 home runs and 25 runs batted in in 36 games with the Chicago White Sox.

The 15 Angel designated hitters were batting .223 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs in 112 games before Tuesday.

“I haven’t been watching the numbers, but everyone else has been telling me what they are,” Canseco said before Tuesday’s game, his first visit to Edison Field since being released. “My agent told me the other day if the Angels had kept me, I’d have 30 home runs and 80 RBIs for them. I don’t think about that.”

Still, Canseco harbors bitter feelings about how he was treated by the Angels. He was released after the team acquired Glenallen Hill from the Yankees.

Canseco was slowed because of minor injuries during spring training and batted .231 with no home runs in 13 games.

“It was extremely difficult, what I went through,” Canseco said. “I still don’t understand how a guy with 454 home runs gets released because he hasn’t a home run in 39 spring training at-bats.”

Hill was batting .136 when he was released June 1.

But Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said the decision to release Canseco wasn’t a mistake. Nor is Canseco looking for such an admission. He said he wants an answer. “I would just like to simply ask, ‘Why?’ ” Canseco said.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD

WASHBURN

(9-5, 3.44 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S

MARK BUEHRLE

(9-6, 3.02 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Designated hitter Shawn Wooten rejoined the team Tuesday. He returned to his home in Covina Monday to be with his ailing father, Bob.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.