O’Brien Added, Glaus Gets the Call

The Angels, unable to deal for a pitcher thus far, acquired catcher Charlie O’Brien from the Chicago White Sox and called up third baseman Troy Glaus from triple-A Vancouver.

O’Brien came relatively cheap. The Angels gave up pitchers Jason Stockstill and Brian Tokarse, who were at Class-A Lake Elsinore. O’Brien is on the disabled list because of a broken right thumb, but is eligible to be activated Monday.

Glaus, who began the year at double-A Midland, was the Angels’ first-round pick, third overall, in 1997. To make room on the roster, pitcher Jarrod Washburn was returned to Vancouver.

The moves don’t address the Angels biggest need--a starting pitcher--but they do shake up the team.

O’Brien, in his 13th season, will likely assume much of the catching chores from Matt Walbeck and Phil Nevin, both of whom have struggled this month. O’Brien was hitting .262 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in before his injury. He is a good defensive catcher and handles pitchers well.

Walbeck and Nevin were acquired from Detroit during the off-season. Walbeck was to back up Todd Greene. Nevin was to be a utility player. That changed when Greene was injured.

“They have played great outside the roles we got them for,” Manager Terry Collins said.

Glaus’ promotion was less clear-cut. He had 35 home runs at Midland and Vancouver this season, but there appeared to be little room for him in Anaheim, as the Angels have Dave Hollins at third base. But Hollins was hitting .246 before Thursday’s game.

Collins said Hollins will play first base as well as third. The Angels are looking to unload his contract, which has one year left, but there appears to be little interest.

Meanwhile, Glaus is scheduled to make his first start today.

“Everybody said this was the time to bring [Troy] up,” Collins said. “He’s here to play some third base. If he shows he’s the best player, he’s going to play more.”

*

Washburn’s demotion means Allen Watson returns to the starting rotation. He will start Saturday. . . . Ken Hill, who is coming back from elbow surgery, threw for 15 minutes Thursday and will pitch a simulated game Sunday. . . . Jack McDowell, making his second rehabilitation start for Lake Elsinore, gave up five earned runs in five innings Thursday night.

TONIGHT

* Opponent--Boston Red Sox, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight, Channel 11 Saturday.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090)

* Records--Angels 58-49, Red Sox 62-44

* 1998 record vs. Red Sox--4-1

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ OMAR OLIVARES (5-7, 4.27 ERA)

vs.

RED SOX’S BRET SABERHAGEN (10-5, 4.54 ERA)

* Update--The series features the top two closers in the American League, the Angels’ Troy Percival and the Red Sox’s Tom Gordon. Both have 29 saves. “I told [Collins] to use me when he needs me now,” Percival said. “But come September, use me whether he needs me or not.”

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Allen Watson (4-6, 6.25) vs. Pedro Martinez (14-3, 2.59).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Jason Dickson (9-8, 6.00) vs. Tim Wakefield (12-5, 4.25).

* Tickets--(714) 634-2000.