Stoneman in No Rush to Add a Left-Hander

ARLINGTON, Texas —  With all “quiet” on the trade front Wednesday, Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said he had no plans to acquire a left-handed reliever to complement a bullpen now comprising seven right-handers.

“The history of our guys pitching against left-handers is better than every guy available,” Stoneman said. “Getting a left-handed reliever is not a top priority. It’s just not.”

The Baltimore Orioles have offered Buddy Groom, and the New York Yankees reportedly have dangled Felix Heredia, each in exchange for Ramon Ortiz. Left-handers are batting .311 off Groom and .204 off Heredia, although Heredia has a 6.14 earned-run average.

Among Angel relievers, Brendan Donnelly (.136), Scot Shields (.218), Francisco Rodriguez (.220) and Kevin Gregg (.235) have been effective against left-handed hitters.

The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported the Yankees would want Ortiz as part of a package to offer Arizona for Randy Johnson, although a source said Wednesday there was no indication that the Diamondbacks would want Ortiz or that the Angels would help the Yankees acquire Johnson.

Stoneman said the Angels’ recent slide would not cause him to think twice about playing to win this season. He emphasized he is not overly motivated by the July 31 deadline, after which players cannot be traded before clearing waivers.

“If the opportunity to help your club comes along, you do it,” he said. “You don’t do something because of a semi-artificial deadline.”

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The Angels designated utility infielder Shane Halter for assignment, offering him a job at triple-A Salt Lake and a guaranteed return to Anaheim when rosters expand Sept. 1. Halter, 34, said he would wait to see whether another team claims him on waivers or otherwise pursues him before considering the Angel offer.

Halter hit .202 in 41 games with 11 errors, second on the team to Chone Figgins. Rookie Robb Quinlan had passed Halter on the depth chart, and the Angels needed a roster spot for Matt Hensley, promoted from Salt Lake to help a weary bullpen.

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As expected, pitching prospect Bobby Jenks underwent surgery designed to strengthen his troublesome right elbow. Jenks, 23, blessed with a 100-mph fastball, has been shut down three times in the last two seasons because of stress reactions in the elbow.

A stress reaction is a precursor to a stress fracture. Surgeons inserted a screw into the elbow, hoping to avoid the fracture Stoneman said “appeared to be inevitable.”

The Angels hope Jenks can rehabilitate the elbow in time for spring training.

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Batting instructor Mickey Hatcher skipped the trip to Texas, reporting lingering discomfort after being struck in the groin by a line drive during batting practice Monday. He hopes to rejoin the team Friday in Seattle. In his absence, the Angels added roving minor league hitting instructor Ty Van Burkleo to the coaching staff.