Rapp Could Be Perfect Workhorse

Angel right-hander Pat Rapp is the first to admit he doesn’t have the kind of stuff that strikes fear into hitters. Pitchers like that generally don’t play for six teams in five years, as Rapp has.

“What you see is what you get--it’s nothing special,” Rapp said, in his homespun Louisiana accent. “But I’m usually around to get the decision.”

That’s exactly what the Angels want. Their biggest problem last season was that their starters didn’t pitch deep enough into games consistently, putting a huge burden on a game but overworked bullpen.

They don’t need Rapp to win a Cy Young Award. They need him to do exactly what he did Tuesday, when he gave up two runs on six hits in six innings of a 7-4 exhibition victory over the San Francisco Giants, a game that featured Scott Spiezio’s three-run homer and Troy Glaus’ two-run homer.

Rapp’s cut fastball had good life, his curve was good, and he continued to work his changeup to right-handed batters. He struck out six and walked none, lowering his earned-run average to 3.38 in 16 innings. He threw 80 pitches.

“We’re looking for him to pitch deep into games, and he stepped it up today,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He brings a lot of experience and savvy. He gets into trouble by picking too much. He gets into deep counts and his pitches pile up. But if he gets to the sixth inning with 80 pitches, that will be tremendous.”

Rapp, 33, is making an effort to be more aggressive.

“Most of the time, my games are long and I work hitters deep into counts because I don’t want to throw anything over the plate,” Rapp said. “I’m trying to change that and let the defense do the work.”

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Veteran pitcher Tim Belcher, whose chances of making the rotation appear remote, said a clause in his contract calling for the Angels to grant him his release if he is not on the major league roster by Sunday is “negotiable.”

The clause was inserted so Belcher would have a week before the season to sign with another team if he didn’t make the Angels, “but if they want to see me pitch once more [in spring training], I could waive it,” he said. “I might approach them with that.”

Belcher, 39, has a 9.24 ERA in four starts, including a 3 2/3-inning, eight-run effort against the Padres on Saturday, but he appears to be sound after struggling to return from elbow surgery in 2000.

With the Angels committed to young pitchers Jarrod Washburn, Ramon Ortiz and Scott Schoeneweis, and veterans Rapp and Ismael Valdes signed to guaranteed contracts worth $2 million or more, there appears to be no room for Belcher.

He said he “doesn’t know” if he wants to play elsewhere and wouldn’t say whether he would accept a bullpen role or a spot in the minor leagues.

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Tim Salmon, out since March 10 because of an abdominal strain, had 10 at-bats in simulated-game conditions Tuesday and continued to increase the intensity of his workouts in hopes of returning this week.

The Angels reassigned utility player Justin Baughman to minor league camp and released outfielder Alex Diaz from his minor league contract.