Angels Say Goodby to Gaetti and More : Baseball: To make room for Gruber, they release infielder and absorb remaining $5 million on his contract.

The Angels finally admitted a multimillion-dollar mistake Thursday, requesting waivers on Gary Gaetti to make room on the roster for Kelly Gruber.

The move was hardly a surprise, and the only question in recent days was about the Angels’ willingness to eat the remaining $5 million of Gaetti’s contract.

Manager Buck Rodgers and Vice President Whitey Herzog made it clear this week that they were in favor of releasing Gaetti, who was batting .180 with four runs batted in in 20 games. Owners Gene and Jackie Autry had the final decision, though.

In the end, the Angels had little use for Gaetti, what with Gruber coming off the 60-day disabled list today and ready to move into a starter’s role at third base, and rookie J.T. Snow firmly entrenched at first.

Gaetti, 34, finally seemed to sense that his days were numbered, saying Sunday, “I mean what am I now, J.T.’s caddie? I don’t think I’ve ever been able to shake what happened last year, but they don’t give me that opportunity either.”

Thursday, he said: “I regret it had to come to this, but while there is disappointment, there are many more pleasant memories. I want to say thank you to Gene and Jackie Autry.”

A two-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, Gaetti made little impact in his Angel career. Last season, he hit .226 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 130 games. He played the first 67 games at third base, then moved to first when Lee Stevens didn’t work out. In 1991, his first season in Anaheim, Gaetti batted .246 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 152 games.

“I wish the team well,” Gaetti said. “At the same time, I look forward to whatever opportunities that might lie ahead for me in baseball.”

Absorbing the remaining $5 million on Gaetti’s contract certainly wasn’t easy for the cost-conscious Angels, but their options were limited.

They could have moved third catcher Ron Tingley or an 11th pitcher, but the advice of Rodgers and Herzog apparently swayed the Autrys.

“We’re making a change at this time because we feel Kelly Gruber is ready to contribute in the manner we anticipated when we acquired him,” Senior Vice President Dan O’Brien said. “The Angels wish Gary nothing but the best.”

Gruber completed a rehabilitation assignment with the Angels’ triple-A affiliate at Vancouver, hitting .458 with one homer and five RBIs in eight games. Gruber, whose best season was 1990, when he batted .274 with 31 homers and 118 RBIs in 150 games, underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 16.