Schoeneweis Draws Interest

The Angels dropped Scott Schoeneweis from their starting rotation Friday. Since then, agent Scott Boras said, several teams have called to ask whether he believes the Angels might trade Schoeneweis.

“There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be a successful major league starter for a long time,” Boras said.

Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said that he also has gotten calls about Schoeneweis. For now, Schoeneweis isn’t going anywhere, except to the Angel bullpen.

“We’re looking at winning now,” Stoneman said. “Let’s see if this helps us.”

While Boras said he understood the rationale behind the Angels’ decision--they needed another left-hander in the bullpen, and rookie John Lackey was ready to join the rotation--he still believes Schoeneweis can develop and prosper as a starter. Boras cited his ability to pitch lots of innings (205 last season) and keep his team in the game.

“He has the capacity to be a No. 3 starter on a lot of teams,” Boras said.

Schoeneweis, 28, is 6-6 with a 5.41 earned-run average. The Angels went 8-7 in his starts.

The Angels believe he might be better suited to the bullpen, although they have not ruled out returning him to the rotation. He is not eligible for free agency for another three years, but he is eligible for salary arbitration this fall.

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Darin Erstad finished last in the online voting for the final spot on the American League All-Star team. Boston’s Johnny Damon won, followed in order by Cleveland’s Jim Thome, Oakland’s Eric Chavez, Chicago’s Magglio Ordonez and Erstad.

Erstad said he would have voted for Chavez. He said he was neither disappointed nor surprised in his last-place finish.

“They all have better numbers than I do,” Erstad said.

Damon is hitting .312 with five home runs, 60 runs scored, 39 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases. Erstad is hitting .313 with six homers, 49 runs, 47 RBIs and 14 steals.

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In spring training, the Angels planned for Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten to share time at first base, with Wooten getting most of the starts against left-handers. But, with Wooten one week away from completing his rehabilitation assignment and Spiezio hitting .371 against left-handers, Manager Mike Scioscia said Spiezio would continue to play against lefties.

The Angels can use Wooten at first base, third base, catcher and designated hitter. They’re 16-6 against left-handed starters, with Spiezio, third baseman Troy Glaus (.338), catcher Bengie Molina (.300) and infielders Benji Gil (.394) and Jose Nieves (.356) all hitting well against lefties. Wooten’s return could make Nieves expendable, and the Angels would consider trading him for an experienced relief pitcher.

Wooten is scheduled to play this week with triple-A Salt Lake and Monday and Tuesday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga before joining the Angels after the All-Star break.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD

WASHBURN

(8-2, 3.47 ERA)

vs.

ORIOLES’

SCOTT ERICKSON

(3-7, 4.66 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Washburn has won eight consecutive decisions, the longest streak by an Angel pitcher since Chuck Finley won a franchise-record 14 in a row in 1997-98. Designated hitter Brad Fullmer was a late scratch Tuesday because of flu-like symptoms.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.