At Least the Timing of Suspension Is Fair

Manager Terry Collins intends to appeal his eight-game suspension resulting from Tuesday night’s brawls in Kansas City, but he isn’t upset that his suspension is set to begin next Friday, the first night of a four-game series against division-leading Texas.

His only real concern would be having to serve the suspension when the Angels are playing an interleague game in a National League park where there will be no designated hitter and managerial strategy becomes more complicated with double switches.

“I’m not saying I’m a genius or anything, but I’ve been through this and these guys [Angel coaches] haven’t,” said Collins, who managed three years in the National League with Houston. “I just want to make sure it happens when we have the DH.”

Collins said bench coach Joe Maddon will make pitching changes and handle the defensive moves and third-base coach Larry Bowa will be in charge of decisions when the Angels are at bat during his absence.

“Bowa will handle the offensive side because he’s out there giving the signs, anyway,” Collins said. “It just makes things easier.”

*

Collins said the fines--believed to be $1,000 in his case--that accompany the suspensions may be inconsequential to some high-paid players, but not to him.

“It’s a hit,” he said. “They’ve got to get these manager’s salaries jacked up. For the first time in my career, I’ll be eating sandwiches in my room and saving my meal money.”

*

Garret Anderson, who has a hairline fracture on the big toe of his right foot, sat out Friday night’s game. The injury was discovered before Thursday’s game at Seattle, in which he played. He expects to be in the lineup tonight. . . . . Angel broadcaster Sparky Anderson will sign copies of his new book, “They Call Me Sparky,” tonight from 5-6:15 in the Angels’ team store at Edison Field. . . . The Angels signed left-handed pitcher Mike Mimbs--not Mark Mimbs as was reported in Thursday’s editions--to a minor-league contract.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

OMAR OLIVARES

(2-2, 3.14 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

DARRYL KILE

(5-7, 4.60 ERA)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West.

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

* Update--Olivares has averaged 7 2/3 innings and 114 pitches in his last three starts, giving up a total of only eight earned runs. But he is 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA in 12 appearances--three of which were starts--against Colorado. Kyle is happy to pitch anywhere but Coors Field, where he is 0-4 with a 7.59 ERA in five starts. In his last five starts on the road, his ERA is 1.49. The Angels were 6-1 on their recently concluded trip, but still had lost 15 of 29 going into Friday night’s game.