The Injuries Keep Coming for Edmonds

You don’t need a scorecard to tell the players anymore. You need one to keep track of Angel center fielder Jim Edmonds’ injuries.

A groin strain sidelined Edmonds for the final two Cactus League games last week. Lower back spasms and a sore right shoulder knocked him out of three weekend exhibitions and landed him on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

And after undergoing his fourth MRI test in 10 days Monday, preliminary results showed yet another problem: Edmonds has a ganglion cyst in his right shoulder area, and doctors will determine this week whether to drain it or let it heal by itself.

The news capped a depressing spring for Manager Terry Collins and the Angels, who open the season tonight against the Cleveland Indians at Edison Field.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina was sidelined until at least the All-Star break when, on his first day of practice, he was struck by a bat and broke a bone in his left forearm. Pitcher Jason Dickson underwent surgery in March to repair torn cartilage in his shoulder and might be out for the season.

And the Angels are already without relievers Pep Harris and Mike James, who underwent elbow surgery and will probably sit out the season.

“We just reminded them that this game is played by grown-ups and that they have to get through the tough times,” Collins said, explaining the theme of a team meeting before Monday night’s workout.

Angel players have heard this speech before, but usually in August and September, not April.

*

With Edmonds out, Collins will move Randy Velarde to the second spot in the batting order and hit shortstop Andy Sheets ninth. “We just want Andy to relax,” Collins said. “Randy hit second a lot last year and did a good job.” . . . Garret Anderson will replace Edmonds in center field, and Todd Greene, who hopes to catch once or twice a week, will be the team’s regular designated hitter, with Matt Walbeck and Charlie O’Brien sharing the catching duties.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Cleveland Indians, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--KCAL, Channel 9 tonight, Fox Sports West on Wednesday night, Fox Sports West 2 on Thursday night.

* Radio--KIK-FM (94.3), XPRS (1090-AM).

* 1998 records--Angels 85-77, Indians--89-73.

* Tickets--About 4,000 available.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ TIM BELCHER (14-14, 4.27 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’ JARET WRIGHT (12-10, 4.72 ERA)

* Update--Wright, who attended Anaheim Katella High and is the son of former Angel pitcher Clyde Wright, will open against a team he had little success against last season, going 0-2 with a 15.19 earned-run average against the Angels. On the other hand, the Indians have terrorized Angel closer Troy Percival, who went 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA against Cleveland in 1998 and has an 0-5 career record and 7.50 ERA against the Indians. less than two outs.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Ken Hill (9-6, 4.98) vs. Dave Burba (15-10, 4.11).

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Steve Sparks (9-4, 4.34) vs. Bartolo Colon (14-9, 3.71).