BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Gaetti Sits Out After Dental Work

Third baseman Gary Gaetti didn’t play Friday after undergoing a root canal procedure on an infected molar.

Gaetti said the tooth had been aching for the past week and had become a near-emergency situation. “I feel all right, but he (Manager Doug Rader) and the dentist don’t think I should be in there,” Gaetti said.

“I guess they’re right. My face is numb, but I don’t know how it will feel when the (anesthetic) wears off.”

Jack Howell started at third, his third start at the position he occupied until Gaetti was signed as a free agent.

Fernando Valenzuela’s Angel debut drew legions of reporters and created a festive atmosphere at Anaheim Stadium. Long lines of fans waited at the ticket booths hours before the game started.

An off-day last Monday and the insertion of Valenzuela into the rotation means Jim Abbott will pitch tonight on five days’ rest instead of four. The change doesn’t bother Abbott, who has won his last five decisions. “It’s the same as it would have been (without the addition of Valenzuela),” Abbott said. “It’s no big deal. It’s fine with me.”