Spiezio Makes Good First Impression

Wally Joyner is retired, Larry Barnes is back in the minor leagues and Benji Gil and Shawn Wooten are on the bench. Scott Spiezio, who signed with the Angels as a second baseman, has established himself as the regular first baseman.

“He’s played great on both sides of the ball,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “We’ve tried some guys at first base this season. One has worked out really well.”

So well, in fact, that the Angels could ask Mo Vaughn to serve as the designated hitter next season if they decide Spiezio ought to play every day. Vaughn, sidelined this season after surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon, has strongly expressed his desire to remain at first base.

Manager Mike Scioscia was decidedly noncommittal on the subject Wednesday, but he did point out that he moved Garret Anderson from center field to left this season, a move that did not thrill Anderson.

“Mo’s got a passion for the game. Everybody respects that. He takes pride in being a two-way player,” Scioscia said. “We’re going to put out the best team, period.”

The Angels inserted Spiezio as their everyday first baseman at the all-star break, and he has hit .331 in 39 games since then, with six home runs and 21 runs batted in. He leads American League first basemen with a .998 fielding percentage. He has one error in 77 games at first base this season; Vaughn is a career .989 fielder who averages 12 errors per season.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen, no matter what I do,” Spiezio said. “But I’ve got an opportunity now, and I’ve got to use it. If I don’t, I might not get another chance.”

Vaughn met with Scioscia this week, asking what the manager thought of his idea to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic for his old Boston Red Sox hitting coach, Mike Easler. Scioscia invited Vaughn to work with Easler all he likes--Angel batting instructor Mickey Hatcher has consulted with Easler about Vaughn--but suggested he stay home this winter.

“Spring training should be enough time to get ready,” Scioscia said. “I think he’s leaning toward a program to get ready here. I don’t think winter ball was anything he was adamant about.”

Scioscia said Vaughn would travel to Minnesota next week for a routine follow-up examination with the doctor who performed the surgery.

“There’s absolutely no concern, from our vantage point or Mo’s vantage point, that there will be lingering effects from the surgery,” Scioscia said.

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Pitching coach Bud Black said the Angels have considered converting long reliever Lou Pote into a starter.

Pote, who held the New York Yankees to one run over five innings in a spot start two weeks ago, has allowed three earned runs in his past 33 innings. When he made his major league debut in 1999, he saved three games in place of injured closer Troy Percival.

“Lou’s role isn’t as glamorous, but it’s every bit as important as Percy’s,” Scioscia said, “because he can give us long innings, he can pitch at the beginning or end of a game, and he can start a game, too.”

Pote would love to start, but the Angels ultimately could decide his greatest value is in his versatility.

“My role is whatever they need,” he said. “If they need someone to start, hopefully they’ll pick me.”

The Dodgers converted reliever Terry Adams into a starter this season, with great success.

“Yeah, but Adams throws 95-96 (mph),” Pote said, grinning. “I throw 90 if I’m lucky.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ PAT RAPP

(5-10, 4.47 ERA)

vs.

RED SOX’S CASEY FOSSUM

(1-0, 0.63 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Fossum, who was pitching Class-A ball this time last year, makes his second major league start in place of Bret Saberhagen, scratched because of a sore shoulder. The Red Sox sent outfielder Manny Ramirez to their Florida training base for several days of intensive therapy on a strained hamstring.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.