In Surprise Move, Angels Release Buckner : After Letting Pinch-Hitter Go, They Learn White Must Have Surgery

Every day is a strange day with the Angels these days, but some are stranger than others. Take Friday, for instance, when, in a matter of hours, the Angels:

--Released Bill Buckner to make room for Brian Downing’s return from the disabled list, choosing instead to keep pinch-runner Junior Noboa and little-used George Hendrick on the 24-man roster.

--Found themselves without a left-handed pinch-hitter, unless one counts switch-hitting backup catcher Butch Wynegar--and Manager Cookie Rojas doesn’t.

--Learned that center fielder Devon White had sustained torn cartilage in his right knee and will need arthroscopic surgery today.

Team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the operation at Centinela Hospital Medical Center and estimates that White will be lost to the Angels for six to eight weeks.

White, who had been bothered by a swollen knee since a hard slide into second base April 13 against Chicago, was batting .247 with 2 home runs and 11 RBIs. He underwent examination by Yocum Friday afternoon, and by the time the Angels had lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2, they had to announce another roster move--the recall of Edmonton utilityman Chico Walker.

Walker, a switch-hitter, was batting .323 with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs in 26 games with Edmonton. Walker had played 25 of those games in the outfield and one at second base.

It might have been easier to make a one-for-one switch on the disabled list--White for Downing--but, then, easy isn’t the Angels’ way. General Manager Mike Port said he wasn’t aware of the severity of White’s injury until after Buckner’s release.

So, while Yocum was inspecting White’s knee, the Angels--prematurely or not--decided to waive Buckner, baseball’s active hit leader (2,607) and the club’s top pinch-hitter, a player who had driven in 7 runs in 6 pinch-hit appearances.

Overall, Buckner, 38, was batting .209 with 9 RBIs in 43 at-bats.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Buckner said. “I haven’t seen too many contending teams without a left-handed hitter coming off the bench or a left-hander coming out of the bullpen.

“This is totally a surprise to me. For what they kept me for--a pinch-hitter--I don’t think I could have been much better. I was 3 for 6 with 7 RBIs, and I gave them a chance to win a couple of games, which is important, considering the number of games they’ve won.”

Buckner called his release “a slap in the face,” adding: “I moved my family here, I got the kids in school. I know it’s part of the game, but it’s still hard to deal with. I put in 18 years (in the major leagues). You’d think they’d give you a little bit more than a month, at least out of respect.

“But I guess that doesn’t matter.”

When Downing was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 25, Noboa, a 23-year-old infielder, was recalled from Edmonton. Noboa had appeared in just three games, batting once. He or Hendrick (16 at-bats in the Angels’ first 28 games), figured to be moved once Downing was ready to be reactivated.

At least, Buckner figured it that way. Instead, the Angels sent Buckner on his way.

“Maybe they think they can still make a trade and get something for George,” Buckner said.

Or maybe, it was suggested that the Angels have more of an investment in Hendrick. His guaranteed contract calls for $600,000. Buckner signed for $400,000 in 1988.

Buckner, however, disputed that notion, saying: “Anybody who starts the season has a guaranteed contract.”

Port concurred, stating that, at this point, the Angels are responsible for the contract of any player they release--minus the $62,500 another club must pay to claim that player.

So, why release Buckner?

“I need more flexibility on my bench,” said Rojas, who recommended the move. “Junior Noboa can play shortstop, second base and third base. And George Hendrick can do more than Bill Buckner. He can play first base and the outfield, and he runs better than Buckner.

” . . . If I pinch-hit with Buckner, I have to pinch-run for him. And if I do that, how many does that leave me on the bench? Nothing against Bill Buckner personally, but I don’t see how he can help the ballclub.”

How about as a left-handed pinch-hitter?

“We need some help there,” Rojas admitted. “We have Wynegar, but I can’t use him to pinch-hit, except for (regular catcher) Bob Boone.

“We have to try to help ourselves there. We’re looking for a left-handed bat. And we’re trying, we’re trying.”

That’s where Hendrick could play a role. Port is attempting to trade for a left-handed hitter, and at least one club, Seattle, has expressed interest in Hendrick.

“There are a number of things we are considering right now,” Port said.

Meanwhile, Buckner is left to consider his future in a sport he has played professionally since 1968. He admitted that retirement is a possibility but added: “I still think, offensively, I can do the job and fill in somewhere at first base.”