Rodriguez May Have Trouble Reporting

Rookie pitching hero Francisco Rodriguez could be a no-show when the Angels open training camp next month.

Amid the political crisis in Venezuela, the U.S. Embassy there will suspend the acceptance of visa applications effective Jan. 20. Major league executives are working with player agents and U.S. immigration officials to prepare and process applications for Venezuelan players, General Manager Bill Stoneman said Thursday, but the Angels have no idea whether the process can be completed by the time camp opens Feb. 14 in Tempe, Ariz.

“We know there could be a delay,” Stoneman said. “We’ll work something out, but I’m not exactly sure what that is.”

The visa is required for admittance to the U.S. A strike by workers opposed to President Hugo Chavez has crippled the national economy, resulted in shortages of food and fuel and sparked violence.

The State Department last month ordered non-essential diplomatic personnel to leave the country, urged Americans to refrain from traveling there and restricted embassy services because some staff members could not get gas to get to work.

Houston Astro outfielder Richard Hidalgo was shot and wounded in an attempted carjacking in Venezuela in November. The Angels have been in contact with Rodriguez and have been assured he is fine.

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The Angels invited 21 non-roster players to spring training, including top prospects in first baseman Casey Kotchman and catcher Jeff Mathis. Kotchman and Mathis are expected to start the season at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.

With the roster virtually set, the Angels will use their non-roster spots to evaluate promising minor leaguers rather than to audition veterans hoping to win a major league job. The only two non-roster invitees expected to have a chance to win a major league job are outfielder Julio Ramirez and rookie pitcher Chris Bootcheck.