Angels Sign McCaskill to 1-Year Contract

The Angels resolved one of their seven arbitration cases Friday, coming to terms with pitcher Kirk McCaskill on a 1-year contract.

McCaskill, who was paid $262,000 last year, agreed to a 1989 salary of $400,000. He had submitted an arbitration figure of $430,000, and the Angels had offered $350,000.

The 27-year-old right-hander has faced a number of physical setbacks in attempting to match his 17 victories of 1986. He had elbow surgery in 1987 and made only 13 starts, going 4-6. Last season, a nerve irritation in his right arm again limited his availability and he was 8-6.

“We’re very happy and enthusiastic with the way Kirk has been throwing,” General Manager Mike Port said of McCaskill’s rehabilitation program.

At Dodger Stadium, pitcher Orel Hershiser said he was not optimistic about signing a multiyear contract with the Dodgers, citing unspecified stumbling blocks in their negotiations.

He denied speculation that he has told the Dodgers he will become a free agent after the 1989 season if he does not sign a multiyear contract.

“Free agency is only a possibility. There’s a risk (in a 1-year contract) for both the club and myself. The risk for the club is that I’ll leave (when it expires). The risk for me is that I’ll be unable to get the deal (next winter) I could get from the Dodgers now.”

Hershiser is believed to be seeking a 4- or 5-year contract for $10 million to $12 million. In the meantime, he appears headed for arbitration, having filed for $2.425 million compared to the club offer of $2 million.

Asked about a recent radio interview in which he said the Dodgers had misled him in the negotiations, Hershiser said he would not go into the specifics.