The Count: 72 Pitches, Two Offers

Here’s a new one: Angel pitcher Scott Schoeneweis was pulled from an exhibition game Thursday because he was too efficient.

Manager Mike Scioscia wanted Schoeneweis to throw 90 pitches in a split-squad game against San Francisco, but he also wanted to extend closer Troy Percival by having him finish one inning and pitch another and Mike Fyhrie to throw one inning.

But Schoeneweis was so effective he threw only 72 pitches in 6 1/3 innings, giving up one run and six hits, striking out six and walking none in a 10-1 Angel victory.

So Scioscia pulled Schoeneweis with one out in the seventh and had the left-hander throw an additional 20 pitches in the bullpen.

“I was trying not to laugh on the mound when he came out,” Schoeneweis said. “I guess it’s better than being pulled because you stink.”

His developing changeup has improved this spring, and he had enough confidence to throw it on a 2-0 count once Thursday. He has solidified a rotation spot by going 2-0 with a 2.35 earned-run average in four spring starts and has also attracted the attention of other teams.

According to a baseball source, the Cleveland Indians offered highly touted shortstop prospect John McDonald for Schoeneweis, but the Angels turned them down.

The Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in Schoeneweis and are willing to part with shortstop Augie Ojeda, who played 28 games in the big leagues last season, but the Angels do not want to part with Schoeneweis.

*

Scioscia said pitcher Jarrod Washburn, out since Monday because of strep throat, a severe fever, fatigue and body aches, would be scratched Saturday from his second consecutive exhibition start.

Washburn, who underwent blood tests to determine if he has mononucleosis, said he was feeling “a little better” Thursday. His fever finally broke after hitting 103 degrees for three days, and he hopes to return to the team by Saturday.

Scioscia said Washburn probably won’t be ready to pitch opening day against Texas on April 3, but it’s possible he could open the season at the back of the rotation.

*

Tim Belcher’s hopes of winning a rotation spot--slim to begin with--suffered another blow Thursday, when the veteran right-hander gave up seven runs on nine hits in four innings of an 8-7 split-squad loss to San Diego in Peoria, Ariz. Belcher gave up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings of his previous start.

Asked if he felt he still had a shot of making the team, Belcher said: “Well, my locker still has stuff in it.”