Velarde News Bad, Gubicza’s Is Better

Pitcher Mark Gubicza’s arm injury might not be as serious as feared, but second baseman Randy Velarde’s is severe enough to sideline him for at least a week or two.

Velarde was expected to sit out only four days after straining his right forearm muscle Sunday. But the pain persisted, so Velarde flew to Orange County on Tuesday to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Yocum found no ligament damage. Velarde will begin a therapy program today and will be held out indefinitely.

“I hope Randy is not hurt bad, but all of a sudden the biggest signing of the winter is [infielder] Luis Alicea,” Manager Terry Collins said. “He came in saying, ‘I know I’m a utility player, but I’ll be ready to play,’ and the next thing you know he may be our starting second baseman.”

Alicea, a starter for much of the last four seasons at Boston and St. Louis, had a homer and a single and scored three runs Tuesday to lead an Angel split-squad team to an 11-7 victory over Oakland at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The outlook for Gubicza is more encouraging. The right-hander played catch Tuesday for the second day in a row and will return to the mound next week.

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Eddie Murray’s dismal spring--he has one hit in 20 at-bats (.050)--got worse Tuesday. The Angels’ clubhouse at Phoenix was vandalized during the game, and among the items stolen was Murray’s wallet and cellular phone.