Canseco Suffers Another Injury

Designated hitter Jose Canseco suffered another minor injury Friday, casting further doubt on his ability to be a reliable force in the Angel lineup.

Canseco, who has missed nine days of spring training because of lower-back and hamstring problems, woke up with a twinge in his neck. He had been scheduled to play in Friday’s 8-5 exhibition loss to Colorado but was sent for X-rays instead.

The oft-injured Canseco said his latest problem was “no big deal,” and that if this were the regular season, he would be playing.

“During the season, the only way I’ll come out of the lineup is if I have an injury that requires surgery,” he said.

The Angels, however, are so concerned about Canseco’s availability that they are formulating contingency plans. In one scenario, Manager Mike Scioscia said, all three first-base candidates--Wally Joyner, Larry Barnes and Scott Spiezio--could make the team.

“Jose is a definite question mark,” Scioscia said. “He’s a great player, but he has to show he’s healthy and can perform at this level.”

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Scioscia said he would like to see Tim Belcher in one more exhibition game but even if the veteran right-hander waives a clause in his contract requiring the Angels to add him to the major league roster or release him by Sunday, his days with the Angels appear numbered.

Belcher met with General Manager Bill Stoneman and Scioscia, and though Scioscia said Belcher, 39, still is in contention for a rotation spot, his chances seem remote.

Belcher has a 10.80 earned-run average in 16 2/3 innings and does not appear capable of cracking a rotation of Jarrod Washburn, Pat Rapp, Ramon Ortiz, Scott Schoeneweis and Ismael Valdes, though Valdes didn’t inspire much confidence by giving up eight runs on 13 hits in six innings.

Whether it’s Sunday or some time next week, the Angels are expected to release Belcher, who will try to catch on with another team or retire.

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Washburn, out since Monday because of a high fever, sore throat and body aches, was able to ride a stationary bike for 20 minutes and play catch. He was in line to be the Angels’ opening day starter, but those plans have been scrapped. The Angels hope he can open the season at the back of the rotation. . . . Second baseman David Eckstein had three hits.