BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Abner Simply Wants a Chance to Play

Shawn Abner, acquired from the Padres Tuesday for Jack Howell, was given No. 16, Howell’s number, and took batting practice Wednesday at Tiger Stadium.

“I’m just glad to be here,” Abner said. “I can’t get any less playing time than I’ve gotten since May. The Angels are still in it, and I hope I get a chance to play. . . . I still think I can play. I’m still relatively young (25). I don’t think I’m maxed out yet. I’m not a .160 hitter.”

He won’t be in the lineup regularly. Luis Polonia is set in left field, Dave Winfield will stay in right and Dave Gallagher is doing an outstanding job defensively in center--besides hitting .302--while Junior Felix recovers from a leg injury. “I don’t like to be considered insurance, but it’s a job,” Abner said. “I’ll do whatever they want me to.”

Said Manager Doug Rader: “Right now, he’s an extra outfielder. If he grows beyond that, that would be great. Dave Gallagher has been doing an extremely fine job for us, and he should not be penalized (by Abner’s arrival).”

Mike Marshall took grounders at first and is expected to sign a major league contract this weekend. Reliever Chris Beasley probably will be returned to triple-A Edmonton. . . . Gary Gaetti’s third-inning error ended a streak of 55 errorless games. He later muffed a grounder for his eighth error of the season.