Nieves Designated for Assignment

At one end of the Angel clubhouse before Thursday night’s game, one player slipped into the jersey with the Angel logo with obvious relish, pressed a fist firmly into his glove, straightened his cap and headed to the field with a big smile on his face.

Putting on a team’s uniform for the first time can be so sweet.

At the other end of the now-deserted clubhouse, another player sat in a stall dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, warmup pants and sandals. The look on his face was one of consternation and frustration. He didn’t smile and he was in no hurry to go anywhere.

Taking off a team’s uniform for the last time can be so sour.

Outfielder Alex Ochoa was in uniform after being acquired by the Angels in a Wednesday trade.

“Coming from last place to first place, you can’t help but be excited,” said Ochoa, the outfielder who was obtained along with minor league catcher Sal Fasano from the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher Jorge Fabregas and two players to be named.

Said a somber Jose Nieves, the infielder who was designated for assignment by the Angels: “I didn’t fit on this team. That’s reality right now.”

Nieves, 27, who was first signed by the Brewers a decade ago, was hitting .289 for the Angels in 45 games with two doubles and six runs batted in. The Angels needed to make room for catcher Bengie Molina, who was activated from the disabled list after recovering from a strained hamstring.

The Angels can wait 10 days to see if anybody claims Nieves off waivers before sending him to the minors or releasing him, but General Manager Bill Stoneman said he expects something to happen today.

Nieves, who was obtained by the Angels before last season from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Mike Fyhrie, hopes that doesn’t mean another trip to the minors.

“I don’t want to go back to triple A,” Nieves said. “That doesn’t make sense.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(9-8, 4.20 ERA)

vs.

YANKEES’

ANDY PETTITTE

(5-4, 3.53)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090)

Update--In his last three starts against the Yankees, Appier has given up one earned run in 23 innings but has only a 1-1 record.