KingFish
02-28-2002, 09:08 AM
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) _ Matt Wise didn't care that Wednesday's spring training opener was a charity game and wasn't even counted in the exhibition standings.
"I'm pitching to win a spot," the Anaheim right-hander said.
Wise allowed one run and four hits in two innings in San Diego's 3-2 victory. He's trying to join a reconstructed starting rotation that added high-profile veterans Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele during the offseason.
He's unlikely to beat out Appier or Sele, a pair of pitchers owed more than $50 million.
And, with one minor league option remaining, he's not likely to beat out the remaining holdovers in manager Mike Scioscia's rotation. Scott Schoeneweis, Jarrod Washburn and Ramon Ortiz all won 10 or more games last year and have shown steady improvement.
"You get an adrenaline rush your first time out," he said. "It's like you're pitching your first game in the majors again," he said.
Wise, a rookie last season in his fifth professional season, made the opening-day roster last season and went 1-4 with a 4.38 ERA in nine starts and 11 games.
Angels center fielder Nathan Haynes is in a similar situation. With Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon figuring to be the everyday outfield, Haynes figures to begin the season at Class Triple-A Salt Lake.
Haynes, 22, was one of the bright spots in Scioscia's lineup Wednesday, going 2-for-2.< ^Notes:@ The Angels play host to Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, with Sele and Schoeneweis scheduled to pitch. Washburn is slated to start the Angels' formal exhibition opener at Peoria against Seattle against RHP Freddy Garcia. ... Angels 3B Troy Glaus missed Wednesday's start with a jammed right ankle that he sustained earlier in the week during infield drills. With Glaus out of the game, both Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten, battling for first base, both got to start, with Spiezio at third base.
"I'm pitching to win a spot," the Anaheim right-hander said.
Wise allowed one run and four hits in two innings in San Diego's 3-2 victory. He's trying to join a reconstructed starting rotation that added high-profile veterans Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele during the offseason.
He's unlikely to beat out Appier or Sele, a pair of pitchers owed more than $50 million.
And, with one minor league option remaining, he's not likely to beat out the remaining holdovers in manager Mike Scioscia's rotation. Scott Schoeneweis, Jarrod Washburn and Ramon Ortiz all won 10 or more games last year and have shown steady improvement.
"You get an adrenaline rush your first time out," he said. "It's like you're pitching your first game in the majors again," he said.
Wise, a rookie last season in his fifth professional season, made the opening-day roster last season and went 1-4 with a 4.38 ERA in nine starts and 11 games.
Angels center fielder Nathan Haynes is in a similar situation. With Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon figuring to be the everyday outfield, Haynes figures to begin the season at Class Triple-A Salt Lake.
Haynes, 22, was one of the bright spots in Scioscia's lineup Wednesday, going 2-for-2.< ^Notes:@ The Angels play host to Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday, with Sele and Schoeneweis scheduled to pitch. Washburn is slated to start the Angels' formal exhibition opener at Peoria against Seattle against RHP Freddy Garcia. ... Angels 3B Troy Glaus missed Wednesday's start with a jammed right ankle that he sustained earlier in the week during infield drills. With Glaus out of the game, both Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten, battling for first base, both got to start, with Spiezio at third base.