Belcher Surgery Is Another Setback for Angels

Angel right-hander Tim Belcher had surgery to repair a muscle tear in his right forearm Thursday at UCI Medical Center.

Dr. Lewis Yocum, who performed the surgery, said it would be four months before Belcher, 38, pitched competitively. On that timetable, Belcher would miss most or all of spring training.

Belcher, who was 6-8 with a 6.73 earned-run average in his first season with the Angels, could begin rehabilitation exercises in about two weeks.

The surgery is another blow to the pitching-strapped Angels.

General Manager Bill Stoneman has not yet met with free-agent pitcher Chuck Finley, though Finley’s agent, Tim Shannon, has become more aggressive with other clubs. Thursday, Shannon asked the Cleveland Indians to back their stated interest with a contract offer.

The Angels have until Tuesday night to re-sign Finley, who seeks a three-year deal. One Indian official said he believed the New York Yankees were more likely to land Finley, though only if the Yankees fail to re-sign free agent David Cone.