Team Talks to Channel 56 for Backup Plan

PHOENIX â€”  As negotiations with Fox Sports Net creep along and opening day looms, the Angels have started discussions with Channel 56 about broadcasting most of their games this season, club spokesman Tim Mead said Friday.

Owner Arte Moreno last month called a new FSN contract “a done deal,� but the process of translating bargaining points into contract language has dragged on so long that the Angels have no television schedule two weeks before the opener.

Under the proposed deal, for 10 years and about $500 million, FSN West would air about 100 games and Channel 13 would carry another 50. But failure to complete the deal would leave the Angels with nothing beyond the 50 games the existing contract requires FSN West to air.

It is uncertain whether the Angels or FSN, or both, have delayed negotiations by asking for additional concessions. By signing the deal, Moreno would forfeit his right to start a cable channel of his own in 2009.

Mead said the team expects to complete the FSN deal but is talking with Channel 56 to ensure broadcasts this season if the FSN negotiations extend beyond opening day.

“We don’t want to settle for 50 games,� Mead said.

Randy Freer, chief operating officer of Fox Sports Networks, did not return a call for comment.

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The Angels weren’t thrilled that closer Francisco Rodriguez returned from the World Baseball Classic one day after the rest of his Venezuelan teammates, but Rodriguez said he was told he could report Friday.

“I’m not late,� he said. “I don’t think I’m behind schedule.�

He pitched one scoreless inning in a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics, striking out one. He pitched three scoreless innings in the WBC and said he threw 14 innings in winter ball.

“If the season started today, I’d be ready to go,� he said.

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Center fielder Darin Erstad has not played in five days because of a sore right ankle, and Manager Mike Scioscia said he would not return before Monday. Scioscia also said Erstad is “rebounding� from a “dead arm� in his move from first base, retraining his arm for the longer throws necessary in the outfield.... Rookie Jered Weaver, establishing himself as the Angels’ top option if one of their starters is injured, pitched five scoreless innings, walking none and striking out five. His Cactus League earned-run average is 1.42.... Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero doubled twice; he’s hitting .474.... Infielder Edgardo Alfonzo, back from the WBC, doubled and singled in his spring debut. With Alfonzo here, the Angels sent third baseman Dallas McPherson to minor league camp for the day to get extra swings.... Relievers J.C. Romero (Puerto Rico) and Scot Shields (U.S.) are expected back from the WBC today.... The Angels sent outfielder Nick Gorneault to minor league camp.