Donnelly in Tough Spot

The players who refuse to admit Brendan Donnelly into their union could well be the people who determine whether the Angel pitcher makes the All-Star team.

Although Donnelly arguably is having the best season of any reliever in the major leagues, Angel Manager Mike Scioscia might not get the chance to select him -- or any of his teammates -- for the American League All-Star team.

That team will include 12 pitchers, eight selected in next week’s vote of players, coaches and managers. The vote is not weighted, so players will speak loudest. The final four pitchers will be chosen by Scioscia, in consultation with major league officials, but some -- if not all -- of those spots will be filled by players needed to satisfy the requirement that every club be represented in the All-Star game.

That could leave Donnelly’s fate in the hands of his fellow players, an intriguing proposition given his status as a replacement player during the 1994-95 strike. The players’ union does not admit replacement players as members and did not allow Donnelly’s name to be included on the championship roster printed on T-shirts and other World Series championship memorabilia.

“I hope the players won’t hold that against him,” said Scott Schoeneweis, the Angel player representative. “Regardless of his situation, he’s having an All-Star caliber half that should warrant consideration.”

Donnelly has given up one earned run in 34 2/3 innings this season, leading the majors with a 0.26 earned-run average. Opponents are batting .153 against him and .067 with men in scoring position, both the best marks among AL relievers.

“If there’s a middle reliever that’s going to make it, it’s going to be him,” Angel closer Troy Percival said. “I would definitely vote for him.”

Players will vote for five starters and three relievers. While setup men do not traditionally attract All-Star attention, Donnelly’s cause could be aided by the fact that no AL closer has 20 saves.

His cause could be hurt, though, because as many as five clubs -- Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City and Tampa Bay -- might not have any representatives selected through fan and player voting. That could leave Scioscia, responsible for filling four spots on the pitching staff and one on the bench, with no option to pick Donnelly, any of his teammates or any player from the other eight teams in the league.

“I don’t like the rule of having every team represented,” Scioscia said. “If a guy makes it truly on merit, it’s an incredible honor. I don’t like to water down the honor.”

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Mickey Callaway resumed pitching Tuesday, for the first time since the Angels put him on the disabled list June 6 because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Callaway is scheduled to throw again Thursday and could then embark on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Such assignments can last as long as 30 days. There is no room for Callaway on the roster now, barring injury or a need to add a seventh reliever.

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Good news, bad news: Triple-A Salt Lake utilityman Chone Figgins leads the minor leagues with 12 triples, but no Angel minor leaguer has as many home runs. Class A Rancho Cucamonga outfielder Nick Gorneault and double-A Arkansas shortstop Brian Specht are tied for the organizational lead with 10 home runs each.