Appier Holds Option

DETROIT — With Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele signed through 2004 and Ramon Ortiz, Scott Schoeneweis and Jarrod Washburn not eligible for free agency before 2005, the Angels appear to have assembled a starting rotation they could keep intact for several years.

But Appier, whose 2.79 earned-run average ranks seventh in the American League and who has lost once in his last 20 starts dating to last summer, has the option to leave the Angels at the end of the season.

The New York Mets traded him to the Angels in December for Mo Vaughn, one year after Appier signed a four-year, $42-million contract with the Mets. As a player traded in the midst of a multiyear contract, Appier retains the right to demand a trade at the end of the season.

“It’s extremely, extremely, extremely unlikely that I would exercise it,” Appier said Thursday, before the Angels’ game against the Tigers was rained out. “I like it here. A lot would have to change for me to do something like that.

“I wasn’t happy to be leaving New York. I signed there because I wanted to play there. But, if I had to go someplace, this was cool, especially after they signed Aaron and Percy [closer Troy Percival]. That made me feel a lot better about it.”

If Appier were to demand a trade, the Angels would have to comply by next March or allow Appier to declare himself a free agent. Some teams avoid that dilemma by sweetening the player’s contract in exchange for a waiver of the right to demand a trade.

The Angels did not entertain that option, said Jeff Borris, the agent for Appier. According to Borris, General Manager Bill Stoneman pointed out that Appier will turn 35 in December and said the club would take its chances that a pitcher of that age would be unlikely to find a better contract if he elected free agency. Appier will receive $11 million next year and $12 million in 2004.

“If it comes up, we’ll deal with it,” Stoneman said. “It’s not something we’re focused on.”

*

The Angels and Tigers sat through a four-hour rain delay before Thursday’s game was postponed.

“If I’d have brought my guitar, I could have written a whole album,” first baseman Scott Spiezio said.

The teams waited so long because the Angels are not scheduled to return to Detroit this year. They could return on a one-day stop on the way to Kansas City (July 10) or Chicago (Aug. 5), but Tiger President Dave Dombrowski said there was a “strong chance” the game could be made up with the Tigers in Anaheim Aug. 12-15.

With rain expected in Chicago this weekend, the Angels sent infielders Benji Gil (ankle) and Shawn Wooten (thumb) to their Arizona training facility to continue workouts. While Wooten is expected to get most of his playing time as a right-handed hitter in place of Spiezio or designated hitter Brad Fullmer, Manager Mike Scioscia said Wooten also will practice at catcher and third base.

Scioscia said the players could start minor league rehabilitation assignments with triple-A Salt Lake as soon as next Friday and could rejoin the Angels in two to three weeks.

*

Angel reliever Dennis Cook packed two souvenirs of his trip to Comerica Park, a game ball and a snapshot.

Cook got a game ball Wednesday, when he pitched in the 1,000th inning of his career. Cook, 39, has pitched for nine teams since making his major league debut in 1988.

“To me, it’s a major milestone,” he said. “It shows you persevered and stuck around.”

Cook also had his picture taken with the Tigers’ Hall of Fame announcer, Ernie Harwell, 84, who is retiring after the season. Such baseball legends as Vin Scully and Negro League hero Buck O’Neil have preceded Harwell into Cook’s small memorabilia collection.

“He’s one of the best announcers there is,” Cook said. “He’s always friendly, and he always makes time for people. That’s the kind of guy whose picture I want on my wall.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Chicago White Sox, three games.

Site--Comiskey Park, Chicago.

Tonight--5 p.m.

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

Records--Angels 22-16, White Sox 23-18.

Record vs. White Sox--3-0.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(2-4, 5.08 ERA)

VS.

WHITE SOX’S

JON GARLAND

(4-2, 5.95 ERA)

Update--The Angels have won seven consecutive games and 16 of 18. Three teams went on 16-2 runs last season; the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A’s made the playoffs but the Chicago Cubs finished in third place in the National League Central.

Saturday, 4 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (4-3, 2.63) vs. Gary Glover (0-0, 3.48).

Sunday, 11 a.m.--Jarrod Washburn (3-2, 3.80) vs. Mark Buehrle (7-2, 3.30).