Abbott Will Take Time Off

Spring training

Jim Abbott, struggling to retain his spot in Anaheim’s starting rotation, will stay away from the club for a few days while the Angels evaluate his future.

Abbott, who has a 1-2 record and 13.50 ERA in three exhibition starts, will not dress or participate in drills.

“By mutual agreement, Jim Abbott has left spring training for a short period of time while he and the Angels evaluate his current situation on the club,” general manager Bill Bavasi said in a statement Sunday.

Bavasi declined to comment further. Abbott could not be reached for comment.

Abbott, in the second year of a three-year, $7.8 million contract, had a 2-18 record and 7.48 ERA in 1996 - worst in the American League in both categories.

The left-hander’s totals included a league-high 11-game losing streak from May 7-Aug. 10 and a demotion to the minors for the first time in his career.

Even if the Angels release him, they would be obligated to pay Abbott $2.6 million in 1997 and $3 million in 1998.

Ripken hopeful

Cal Ripken, who promises contract negotiations will end once the season starts, is optimistic he can reach an agreement that will keep him with the Baltimore Orioles through 2000.

Ripken, 36, is entering the final season of a five-year, $32.5 million contract. If he doesn’t get an extension by April 1, then contract talks will be suspended and the 14-time All-Star will become a free agent after the 1997 season.

A baseball source said Ripken and Orioles owner Peter Angelos discussed the contract extension last week.

“I absolutely won’t let it go past opening day,” Ripken said Sunday. “But I’m very optimistic. The people are working very hard on both sides and I think a lot of issues are being addressed that are critical to the negotiations.”

The Orioles feel the same way. They have reportedly offered a two-year extension with a team option for a third season worth approximately $6.2 million a year, the same figure as Ripken’s salary this season.

Ripken, whose streak of 2,316 consecutive games played is a major-league record, is seeking a contract that guarantees payment for the year 2000.

Shawn Boskie will occupy the fifth spot in the Baltimore Orioles’ starting rotation and could be one of 13 pitchers on the opening-day roster, manager Davey Johnson said.

Boskie signed with the Orioles as a free agent after reaching career highs in wins (12) and starts (28) with the California Angels last season. The right-hander got the nod as the fifth starter over Scott Kamieniecki and Rick Krivda despite compiling a 4.91 ERA this spring.

Oliver injured

Cincinnati Reds catcher Joe Oliver will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, sidelining him for four-to-six weeks.

Oliver hurt the thumb while making a tag at home plate on Saturday. The thumb was more swollen on Sunday, and the Reds sent him for X-rays and a magnetic resonance imaging test that found the tear.

Surgery will be scheduled in the next day or so. Since Oliver was in camp on a non-roster basis, he will go on a minor-league disabled list.

Earlier in the day, Oliver was joking about the injury, which was believed to be only a sprain. He opened fan mail with the swollen thumb, laughing as he read aloud, “I hope this letter finds you in the very best of health.”