Fabregas Is Latest Catcher to Go on the Disabled List

For the second time in three days, the Angels put a catcher on the disabled list, leaving a career minor leaguer as their starting catcher.

The Angels put Jorge Fabregas on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of an inflamed right elbow. With Bengie Molina expected to sit out about three weeks because of strained hamstring, the Angels’ new starting catcher is Jose Molina, whose nine-season pro career includes 11 games of major league experience.

“He’s capable of being an everyday catcher,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said.

Stoneman said Fabregas complained of elbow pain Sunday. Doctors administered a cortisone shot Monday and told Stoneman that the inflammation might require 10 days to subside. The Angels, uncomfortable about leaving the catching entirely to Jose Molina and utilityman Shawn Wooten, then put Fabregas on the disabled list and are expected to promote utilityman Jamie Burke today from triple-A Salt Lake.

When Dean Palmer ruptured his left biceps tendon five years ago, he feared for his career. The injury happens sometimes to football players--and often to bull riders, who use one arm to hold on for dear life--but seldom to baseball players.

“I didn’t have anyone else to compare myself to,” Palmer said. “I wondered if I was going to be able to play anymore.”

The Angels’ Mo Vaughn underwent surgery for the same injury in February. He is expected to sit out the season.

But, if Palmer’s track record is any indication, Vaughn should be fine next season. Palmer, who homered for Detroit in the Tigers’ 11-2 victory over the Angels Saturday, rebounded from surgery in 1995 to hit a career-high 38 home runs in 1996. He also hit 34 homers in 1998 and 38 in 1999.

“I’m not going to say it’s as good as it was,” Palmer said. “There are some things I don’t do anymore, like pull-ups. But with swinging a bat, and all the baseball stuff, I’m as good as ever.

“There shouldn’t be any concerns about Mo. He’s not going to have any problem coming back.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Chicago White Sox, three games.

Site--Comiskey Park.

Tonight--5.

TV--None.

Radio--KMXN (94.3) and KMPC (1540) tonight; KLAC (570) Wednesday and Thursday; XPRS (1090) all three games.

Records--Angels 15-16, White Sox 10-19.

Record vs. White Sox--3-0.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ JARROD WASHBURN

(1-3, 7.04 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S JAMES BALDWIN

(0-2, 5.82 ERA)

Update--First baseman Wally Joyner had six hits in nine at-bats as the Angels swept Chicago in Anaheim last week. Opponents are hitting .061 against Angel closer Troy Percival, who has struck out 12 in 10 1/3 innings and has not given up an earned run.

Wednesday, 5 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (2-2, 2.45 ERA) vs. Mark Buehrle (1-3, 5.52 ERA).

Thursday, 5 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (2-2, 3.24 ERA) vs. Rocky Biddle (1-2, 3.68 ERA).