Wall Is Cut, Shields Promoted

The Angels, finding nothing to their liking in the trade market, started their bullpen makeover Friday by releasing right-hander Donne Wall and promoting right-hander Scot Shields from triple-A Salt Lake.

“The guys we could get now aren’t guys that could make us better,” General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “If the guys we can get are no better than the guys we have at Salt Lake, we’ll go with the guys we have at Salt Lake.”

The Angels had no interest in left-hander Bruce Chen, traded Friday from the Montreal Expos to the Cincinnati Reds. The Angels probably could get left-hander Graeme Lloyd from the Expos for outfielder Julio Ramirez. They have some interest in left-hander Alan Embree of the San Diego Padres and right-hander Mike Fetters of the Pittsburgh Pirates. As the July 31 trading deadline approaches and more teams conclude a playoff berth is out of reach this season, more pitchers will become available.

For now, the Angels will take a look at Shields, mostly in long relief. Shields, 26, pitched 47 innings at Salt Lake, more than any of the Angel relievers. He struck out 50, walked six and posted a 3.06 earned-run average.

The Angels still would like to add a second left-hander and/or hard-throwing right-hander to their bullpen. The latter role could eventually be filled by top prospect Francisco Rodriguez, 20, promoted Friday to Salt Lake. He struck out 61 in 41 innings at double-A Arkansas. The Angels also will consider Salt Lake right-handers Brendan Donnelly and Bart Miadich.

Wall, 34, had a 6.43 ERA overall but a 1.93 ERA since he was activated from the disabled list May 20. The Angels are more comfortable with right-handers Al Levine (10 hits in his past seven innings), Lou Pote (14 hits in his past 11 innings) and Ben Weber (eight hits in his past five innings), all of whom excelled last year, but their recent troubles helped cost Wall his job.

“This move was made mainly because of the recent struggles of our bullpen,” Stoneman said. “Had the other guys been a little stronger over the past week to 10 days, this might not have happened.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(5-4, 4.50 ERA)

vs.

DODGERS’

ODALIS PEREZ

(6-3, 2.62 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090), KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--The Dodgers signed Esperanza High left-hander Greg Miller, their second draft pick and the 31st overall selection, for a $1.2-million bonus. The Angels changed the time of their Aug. 4 game against the New York Yankees from 5 p.m. to 1 p.m., because they must fly to Detroit for a makeup game the next day.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.