Ortiz Is Pleased After Getting New Deal

TEMPE, Ariz. â€”  The Angels and pitcher Ramon Ortiz reconciled Friday, agreeing to a multiyear contract that soothed the right-hander’s bruised ego and circumvented a potential distraction as the regular season approaches.

Ortiz, offended when the club unilaterally renewed his contract earlier this month, was all smiles after he said he was guaranteed at least $7.25 million for three years plus a club option, and as much as $11.7 million over four years.

The terms that are used depend on whether Ortiz--recently revealed to be three years older than he claimed--is arbitration eligible after this season. That cannot be determined now because of service-time issues and baseball’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

Although Ortiz had a rough day on the field Friday in a 13-8 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Diablo Stadium, the new contract softened the disappointment.

“Now, I’m happy,� said Ortiz, pounded for 14 hits and six earned runs in 51/3 innings. “I wanted a good contract to take care of my family. This is a good contract.�

The Angels are pleased Ortiz’s mood has improved.

“[Renewal day is] always the worst day of the year for us, and for the players that get renewed too,� General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “But we kept on talking. He was interested in keeping on talking and it resulted in a long-term deal.�

Ortiz, paid $250,000 last season, was renewed at $270,000 after going 13-11 with a 4.36 earned-run average in 32 starts last season. Under both multiyear packages, Ortiz, who turns 29 today, said he will make $950,000 this season.

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The Angels finally made it official, selecting left-hander Jarrod Washburn as their opening-day starter.

Manager Mike Scioscia told Washburn of the assignment--March 31 against the Cleveland Indians at Edison Field--making a long-expected move. Scioscia chose the third-year starter over 147-game winner Kevin Appier and two-time All-Star Aaron Sele, indicating his confidence in the potential ace.

“Washburn certainly stepped up last year,� Scioscia said. “Part of it [starting the opener] is handling the festivities of opening day. You’re trying to push the ship away from the dock in a good way, and Wash is the type of pitcher who could make that type of statement. We’re excited about it.�

Washburn, 27, was 11-10, including an eight-game winning streak, with a 3.77 earned-run average last season. His ERA led the team and ranked 13th in the American League, and he’s admired in the clubhouse for his competitiveness.

Now, it’s Washburn turn to deliver.

“Coming into camp, I didn’t think there was much of a chance,� said Washburn, sidelined because of strep throat during last season’s opener. “I was very happy I was picked.�

Right-handers Appier and Sele follow Washburn, then it’s left-hander Scott Schoeneweis and Ortiz.

“We like the balance of our rotation,� Scioscia said. “We like the balance of experience and our lefty-righty breakdown.... Hopefully there won’t be any reason to change it, but we can adjust from it if we have to.�

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The Brewers had 25 hits against five Angel pitchers.... Garret Anderson had two homers and four runs batted in.... Troy Glaus hit his fifth homer and second in as many days after sitting out five games.