BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Rickey Henderson Might Play Today

Rickey Henderson, who is one stolen base short of tying Lou Brock’s record, is likely to return to Oakland’s lineup today after being placed on the disabled list because of a pulled left calf muscle.

“It’s a lot better. I’ll have to see (today) if I can play,” said Henderson, who has missed 14 games.

But the Angels say they aren’t worried.

“I’m not going to think about it if I’m in there and he’s in there,” said catcher John Orton, who might start because Lance Parrish rarely plays day games that follow night games. “By the way the crowd reacts if he gets on, I’m sure that will add excitement. . . . He ignites their team when he gets on base. You definitely want to keep him off base.”

Parrish, who has been victimized 32 times by Henderson, said pitchouts aren’t effective because Henderson anticipates them well. “I welcome the challenge,” Parrish said.

To Mark Langston, the Angels’ starter today, the challenge is clear. “The main thing is to keep him off the bases so he can’t do anything,” said Langston, who has seen Henderson steal one base against him. “You’ve got to concentrate on that. If he gets on, I’m just going to do my job.”

Before Friday, Parrish and Orton had thrown out two of 10 base stealers this season.

Friday was Manager Doug Rader’s fifth use of his “A” lineup. . . . The first-inning throwing error by shortstop Dick Schofield was his first and only the third by an Angel infielder this season. Third baseman Gary Gaetti later committed the team’s fourth. The Angels were the second-worst fielding team in the AL in 1990 with a .978 fielding average, but they began Friday at .990, second-best behind Texas’ .993.