Shoulder a Bother, Dickson to Miss Turn

Pitcher Jason Dickson is experiencing shoulder stiffness and will not make his next start, and Manager Terry Collins said there’s a chance the rookie right-hander could go on the disabled list if he does not respond well to a workout Sunday.

Dickson, who suffered the loss to Chicago on Tuesday night, was scheduled to pitch again Sunday in Baltimore, but Collins said the earliest he’ll return is Wednesday, when the Angels play host to New York in a doubleheader.

Collins plans to use a four-man rotation of Chuck Finley, Allen Watson, Ken Hill and Dennis Springer until Dickson’s situation is resolved.

Dickson (11-5) had elbow tendinitis in July, but he began experiencing the shoulder problem after the All-Star Game, during which he warmed up twice--very rapidly the second time--but did not play. He has given up 18 earned runs and 24 hits, including five homers, in 13 innings of his last three starts.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Dickson said. “As soon as I get loose I’m OK, but I’m just having a problem getting loose.”

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To make room for Rickey Henderson on the 40-man roster, the Angels transferred injured second baseman Randy Velarde from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. They will have to make another move with the 25-man roster when Henderson is activated today. . . . Center fielder Jim Edmonds, on the disabled list because of a lower-back strain, took batting practice in Anaheim on Tuesday and Wednesday and hopes to make rehabilitation starts for Class-A Lake Elsinore on Thursday and Friday. If all goes well, he could join the Angels in Baltimore this weekend.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, two games.

* Site--County Stadium, Milwaukee.

* Today--11 a.m.

* TV--Channel 9 Friday night.

* Radio--KTZN (710).

* Records--Angels 66-53, Brewers 57-60

* Record vs. Brewers--5-4.

TODAY’S GAME

ANGELS’ DENNIS SPRINGER (7-5, 5.59 ERA) vs. BREWERS’ JOSE MERCEDES (4-6, 4.43 ERA)

* Update--The Angels’ depleted bench and sagging offense are in need of a boost, and they hope Rickey Henderson, acquired from the San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers Wednesday, can provide it. Henderson is expected to start in left field today, which will allow Collins to move Garret Anderson from left field to center and Orlando Palmeiro back to the bench. Luis Alicea, who led off Wednesday night and went 0 for 4, will move back to his customary eighth spot. “We wanted to make sure we had a guy who knew how to score runs and had some power,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said of Henderson. “We think we got one of the premier leadoff batters in the game, and he’s playing pretty well right now.” Angel ace Chuck Finley will be going for his 10th consecutive victory Friday night, which would tie the franchise record.

* Friday, 5 p.m.--Finley (12-6, 4.08) vs. Bryce Florie (3-3, 4.45).