Canseco Agent’s Claim Denied

PHOENIX â€”  General Manager Bill Stoneman strongly denied an accusation by the agent for Jose Canseco that financial considerations played a role in the release of the slugger Wednesday.

Canseco’s contract consisted of a $200,000 base salary and incentives that would have paid an additional $4.95 million if he made 600 plate appearances. Glenallen Hill, acquired from the New York Yankees to replace Canseco as the Angels’ designated hitter, has a $1.5-million guaranteed contract.

“The Angels were counting pennies,� said Jeff Borris, Canseco’s agent. “If Canseco and Hill do the same job, Hill does it for a lot less. I think money might have had something to do with the decision, but we’ll never know the true answer to that.�

Stoneman, who attended the Angels’ 7-6 exhibition victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Bank One Ballpark Friday night, took exception to Borris’ remarks.

“He’s been an agent long enough to realize that’s nonsense,� Stoneman said. “The contract we signed Jose to was an ideal contract for the club.�

Borris said Canseco has been rejected by “a number of teams,� including the Baltimore Orioles, who showed interest Wednesday but informed Canseco Friday they were no longer pursuing him. Canseco is considering playing in Japan, and the Orix Blue Wave is arranging a workout for him in Arizona.

Borris said Canseco, who has 446 career home runs, would play for any major league team for a minimal salary. He’d be willing to play in the minor leagues to prove he is physically sound, and he’d even consider playing for an independent-league team.

“He understands he might have to take a few steps back to go forward,� Borris said. “When he believes he can’t play major league baseball, he’ll take off his jersey. He doesn’t need a team to rip it off his back.�

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Right-hander Pat Rapp was impressive during a 5 2/3-inning start Friday night, limiting the Diamondbacks to one run on seven hits, striking out four and walking three.

Rapp pitched his way out of a second-and-third, no-out jam in the fourth by retiring Midre Cummings on a grounder to the mound and striking out Danny Bautista and Rod Barajas. He gave up his only run on Arizona pitcher Curt Schilling’s RBI double in the sixth.

Darin Erstad and Wally Joyner each hit solo home runs, Garret Anderson had a two-run single and Bengie Molina added a sacrifice fly for the Angels. Hill, making his first appearance as an Angel, struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Benji Gil, who played shortstop and second, made outstanding defensive plays at each position.

Arizona shortstop Tony Womack had to be helped off the field in the second when he hit the second base bag awkwardly on a double-play attempt. X-rays of his right ankle were negative, but he was diagnosed with a sprain.

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Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy’s comeback was put on hold Friday after a CT scan revealed the broken bone in his right hand was not completely healed.

Kennedy, who suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch March 8, hoped to begin swinging a bat this weekend and play in some minor league games next week. But he will not be cleared to hit for at least a few more days.

The Angels also put reliever Rendy Espina on the disabled list Friday because of inflammation of his right knee, which was caused by an unknown bite or sting. Espina, who is being treated with antibiotics, was admitted to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital Friday and will remain there through today.