Ace’s Start Is Up in Air

With pain still lingering in Jarrod Washburn’s left shoulder, the Angels are increasingly concerned that their ace might not be able to start as scheduled opening day.

The Angels have not ruled him out of the start, but pitching coach Bud Black said the team would not rush Washburn through an abbreviated spring workout schedule simply so he could start the opener.

“If it’s not opening day, it will be soon thereafter,” Black said, “and he’ll still get his 33 starts.”

Washburn, who started a career-high 32 games last season, has pitched just two innings this spring. After he sprained the shoulder during a fielding drill six days ago, doctors told him he could resume throwing off a mound in seven to 10 days. He has resumed playing catch, but not without pain.

As the original timetable appeared increasingly optimistic, the usually confident Washburn expressed doubt about his chances of starting the opener.

“There’s always doubt until you get out on the mound and let it fly,” he said.

Off days could allow the Angels to play the first week of the season using three starters -- John Lackey, Kevin Appier and Ramon Ortiz -- and provide Washburn an additional week to rebuild stamina in his arm. If Washburn cannot start the opener, the Angels would turn to Lackey or Appier.

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An online fan petition calls on the players’ union to approve the sale of T-shirts and other World Series championship memorabilia that include the name of reliever Brendan Donnelly. The union, which controls the use of player names and images for licensing purposes, prevented Donnelly’s name from appearing on collectibles because he served as a replacement player in the 1994-95 strike.

The petition takes no position on whether the union should lift its ban on admitting replacement players, which would enable them to receive a share of merchandising revenue. The petition argues, however, that omitting Donnelly’s name from the championship roster printed on T-shirts and other items is an act of historical revisionism that makes the union appear “petty, vindictive and ridiculous.”

The petition also commends the Angel players for ordering a special batch of T-shirts, just for Donnelly, with his name included. The petition is at: www.petitiononline.com/ donnelly/petition.html.

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A World Series share paid $272,000, so Francisco Rodriguez said he was taken aback when he got his check. Rodriguez, the rookie sensation who struck out 13 in 8 2/3 innings during the Series, got all of $5,000.

“That’s not what I expected,” he said, “but that’s OK.”

Players vote on the allocation of playoff shares before the postseason, in recognition of contributions during the regular season. The Angel players awarded 42 full shares, 14 partial shares and eight cash bonuses, including the one to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who made his major league debut Sept. 18, pitched 5 2/3 innings during the season and 18 2/3 innings in postseason play.

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An otherwise forgettable exhibition game was an occasion for celebration for Steve Green, whose appearance in Saturday’s 13-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics marked his first outing in, as he said, “21 months and seven days.” In his last outing, his right elbow blew out, and he has endured nearly two years on a rocky road of rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.

Green pitched one inning, giving up a leadoff home run to Eric Chavez -- “he didn’t have to swing at a 3-1 changeup,” Green said with a smile -- but retiring the next three hitters.

He made his major league debut in a spot start two years ago, holding Oakland to two runs over six innings and receiving no decision. The Angels still consider Green a prospect, and they hope he can fill one of the spots in the triple-A rotation, which is thin beyond Chris Bootcheck.

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The A’s pounded three minor leaguers for 11 runs over their final two at-bats Saturday. Top prospect Bobby Jenks, blessed with a fastball that can touch 100 mph, was clocked at 96-97 mph and struck out two but walked two, threw a wild pitch and gave up a grand slam.... Garret Anderson homered off Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito.... Tim Salmon, limited to designated hitter duty thus far to ease his recovery from off-season knee surgery, is scheduled to play right field today for the first time this spring.... Reliever Scot Shields, slowed by a sore right shoulder, is scheduled to make his spring debut today.... Shortstop David Eckstein, who has missed the last three games because of back spasms, is expected to return to the lineup today or Monday.