BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Sojo Will Play Only Against Left-Handers

Luis Sojo, no longer the regular second baseman, said he understands why Manager Doug Rader has him sharing the position with Donnie Hill and Jack Howell.

“For now, I won’t play except against left-handers,” said Sojo, who is hitting .214 and misplayed two pop-ups Friday. “I don’t hit the ball good now and Donnie is hitting the ball good (.309), so he’s got to play. I hope I get back soon.”

Fernando Valenzuela said his arm felt “not too bad” after his Angel debut Friday, with only the stiffness that usually follows his starts. He expects his second outing, Wednesday against the Brewers, to go more smoothly. “Next time it will be more like a normal game. It was nice (to see a big crowd) but when I go to the mound, I concentrate on what I have to do,” he said.

Catcher Lance Parrish left Sunday’s game after six innings because of a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm. He said he initially felt tightness before the game and took himself out when he feared tearing a muscle. His status is day to day. . . . Luis Polonia’s first-inning steal was his league-leading 20th, equaling his 1990 total with the Angels. He also had one steal with the Yankees last season. . . . With three hits Sunday, Wally Joyner had one more hit than in his previous 19 at-bats. His home run was his ninth in 200 at-bats, one more than he had in 310 at-bats last season. . . . Dave Winfield’s homer gave him 1,558 RBIs, four short of tying Tris Speaker for 21st on the career list.

Among the presents given Dave Parker for his 40th birthday Sunday was a T-shirt with the slogan, “Ageless, Timeless, Youthless, Toothless.” . . . Howell started his third consecutive game at third base in place of Gary Gaetti, who is still recovering from dental surgery.