Ramon

Ortiz

Ortiz, on the disabled list with an injured groin, went three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked none, while three of the four runs were earned. Of the 58 pitches he threw, 41 were strikes. It’s unknown if he’ll be activated and start Sunday against the Brewers at this point. If he can’t go, Matt Belisle will get the start in his place.

Jarrod Washburn, Kevin Appier, John Lackey and Aaron Sele will follow.

''We talked last week and we made our last, best and final offer to Ramon,’' GM Dan O’Brien said. ''We were unsuccessful in coming to an agreement and it appears we’re head for arbitration.’'

Ortiz believes one of his problems last year was that he was throwing his changeup too hard, not setting it apart enough from his fastball. Perhaps the new pitch will work better, but as of right now, he doesn’t look like a very good investment in AL-only leagues.

Chris Bootcheck is replacing Ortiz tonight, and either he or Kevin Gregg will fill Ortiz’s spot on Sunday.

''We’ll see what shape the bullpen is and where the roster is before we make a decision,’' manager Mike Scioscia said.

Chicago is believed to have offered Jose Valentin for Ortiz, and the Orioles would like to package left-handed reliever Buddy Groom in a deal. Neither offer really helps Anaheim as much as leaving Ortiz in the bullpen does. He’s been very effective since being moved to a relief role.

He’s not happy about being demoted to the bullpen now that Aaron Sele has returned from his shoulder injury. Although we do not usually support griping ballplayers, we are inclined to agree with Ortiz in this case. He has allowed only one earned run in 11 1/3 innings in two starts while Sele was out of action, and has lowered his ERA from 9.28 to 4.39 since the end of April. Sele did not pitch well in his start this past week and John Lackey has been inconsistent. Perhaps Ortiz should have waited until Sele blew up again, or until Jarrod Washburn’s health status was confirmed, before addressing the media.

Ortiz’s 30th birthday was believed to be Sunday, but he said he actually will turn 30 on May 23.

Pat Roache, Ortiz’s Boston-based agent, does not know why the Angels were so quick to remove Ortiz from the rotation when John Lackey, who is struggling as badly as his client had, is still given a chance to start. For the record, Ortiz has pitched better in relief and the Angels have indicated that they have no immediate intention of returning him to the rotation. Keep an eye on this situation.