Pitcher, 16, Gets $1 Million Bonus

The Angels reached deep into their pockets with their latest dip into the Dominican Republic talent pool by signing Rafael Rodriguez, a 16-year-old pitcher, late Friday.

Rodriquez, a right-hander whose fastball has been clocked in the 90s, is believed to have signed for around $1 million, making him the richest investment the Angels have made in a player from the Dominican Republic. Pitcher Johan Quezado Santana signed for $700,000 and pitcher Hector Benoit signed for $350,000 in 2000.

Francisco Rodriguez, a pitcher from Venezuela, signed for $900,000 in 1998.

Angel officials declined to comment on the amount of Rafael Rodriquez’s bonus.

The Angels mostly ignored the talent-rich Dominican Republic until two years ago. In the last two years, the Angels have signed eight Dominican pitchers who have been clocked in the 90s: Rafael Rodriquez, Santana, Benoit, Daniel Arias, Julio Gonzalez, Angel Valdez, Anthony Alvarez and Carlos Morban.

Pitcher Ramon Ortiz will take the mound today with peace of mind, after returning from the Dominican Republic where he visited his father. Alfonso Ortiz underwent a hernia operation two weeks ago.

Ortiz made the seven-hour flight to the Dominican Republic July 7, a day after beating Colorado, 6-5. He returned Friday.

“It wasn’t that serious, but my dad is 67,” Ortiz said. “He’s OK now. When I got to the hospital, he looked up at me and smiled. He was so happy.”

Ortiz is 4-2 with a 3.45 earned-run average in his last seven starts.

“I love baseball,” Ortiz said. “But I have to be very focused out there. I could not have been if I didn’t go home. Baseball is important to me. But my dad and mom come first.”

Outfielder Tim Salmon took batting practice Saturday, but will not be activated Monday when he is eligible to come off the disabled list, Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Salmon has been out since July 2 with a strained left shoulder.

“His stamina is getting better and he is getting ready,” Scioscia said. “We’ll have a better idea where he is at by the end of the homestand. We’ll know then the next course of action we will take.”

That may include a rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues.

ON DECK

Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--5.

TV--ESPN2 tonight, Channel 9 Monday and Tuesday.

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

Records--Angels 43-47, Padres 43-48.

Record vs. Padres (2000)--2-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ RAMON ORTIZ

(7-6, 4.41 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ BRIAN LAWRENCE

(1-0, 4.31 ERA)

Update--Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who sat out more than a year following reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow before returning with an impressive start against Colorado on July 4, was scheduled to start for the Padres tonight but was scratched because of an infected big toe on his left foot. Lawrence was called up from triple-A Portland to replace him. Angel shortstop David Eckstein is suffering through his first slump of the season. He had four hits in his last 48 at-bats before Saturday’s game. Eckstein took extra batting practice before Saturday’s game, then went one for five with a double.

Monday, 7 p.m.--Pat Rapp (3-9, 4.62 ERA) vs. Brian Tollberg (3-2, 3.32 ERA).

Tuesday, 1 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (7-8, 4.66 ERA) vs. Bobby Jones (5-12, 4.15 ERA).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.