Angels Need Hill to Contribute

CLEVELAND —  Three weeks ago, the Angels considered alternative plans for veteran starter Ken Hill, who hadn’t pitched effectively enough to suit them.

They tried to trade him by Monday’s non-waiver deadline but found no takers. Hill almost certainly would clear waivers and likely has already, so General Manager Bill Stoneman may continue to shop him. The club would prefer that Hill pitch better and lead its young starters through a dangerous month against the best teams in the American League. Their inclusion on that list might depend on it.

Asked if Hill, who is 5-7 with a 6.52 earned-run average, were again pitching on a short leash, Manager Mike Scioscia said, “I don’t think it’s any shorter. That’s never come up.”

After appearing to make progress immediately after the All-Star break, however, Hill has an 8.62 ERA in his last three starts.

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After an encouraging simulated start Monday, Kent Mercker returns to competition tonight, 2 1/2 months after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage while on the mound. He is scheduled to start for Class-A Lake Elsinore.

“I know there’s no certainty,” he said. “This could happen to me again. But I have the peace of mind to know I’m fine.”

The Angels intend to eventually work Mercker up to about 90 pitches, which would make him able to start.

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Mo Vaughn, who was removed from Wednesday’s game because of a sore biceps muscle, according to Manager Mike Scioscia, accompanied the team to Cleveland. Scioscia attributed the injury to excessive batting practice.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Cleveland Indians, three games.

* Site--Jacobs Field, Cleveland.

* Today--4 PDT.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight and Sunday, Channel 11 on Saturday.

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

* Records--Angels 57-52, Indians 54-51.

* Record vs. Indians--1-2.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

SETH ETHERTON

(5-1, 4.53 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’

STEVE WOODARD

(0-1, 1.50 ERA)

* Update--Indian General Manager John Hart made a trading-deadline decision to stay competitive in the wild-card race, trading Richie Sexson and two pitchers to Milwaukee for pitchers Bob Wickman, Jason Bere and tonight’s starter, Woodard. Wickman, who had 16 saves for the Brewers, had his first for the Indians Wednesday. He also became the 30th pitcher to appear for the Indians, a major-league record previously held by the 1996 Angels.

* Saturday--Scott Schoeneweis (5-5, 5.13) vs. Chuck Finley (9-8, 3.93), 1 p.m.

* Sunday--Brian Cooper (4-6, 5.22) vs. Bartolo Colon (2-0, 2.59), 10 a.m.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.