BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Lewis to Take Finley’s Turn Tonight

Scott Lewis, who almost got into Thursday night’s game in relief, will start against the Brewers tonight at Anaheim Stadium.

He replaces Chuck Finley, who is still hampered by soreness in his left big toe. Manager Buck Rodgers had also considered starting Scott Bailes tonight, but Bailes hasn’t started in the major leagues since 1989 and Lewis started 11 games for the Angels last season. He was 2-5 as a starter and 3-5 overall.

It’s doubtful that Finley will be able to take his next scheduled turn, next Wednesday. He hasn’t thrown since he hyper-extended the toe last Sunday, and he isn’t supposed to throw again before Sunday. His toe--which was operated on in December to repair a broken bone--has neither improved nor worsened in recent days, according to trainer Ned Bergert.

First baseman Alvin Davis and shortstop Dick Schofield made their first starts of the season Thursday. It was Davis’ first start as an Angel.

“I’m really excited,” said Davis, who was signed as a free agent last winter. “I’m just happy to be playing. I like to be involved in the game. This is a special day for me. The new era has already started, but this kind of makes it official.”

Sam Suplizio, a spring training outfield instructor, gave his students a refresher course Thursday at Anaheim Stadium. His timing was good, considering left fielder Luis Polonia had a rough night in Tuesday’s opener and right fielder Von Hayes committed an error in each of the first two games.

“This is a tough field to play, especially coming off the carpet,” he said, referring to Hayes’ transition from artificial turf to grass. “Out here, the grass makes the ball snake, the way it’s cut. Every time we’d come in here when I was with Milwaukee, we’d say, ‘Stay down on the ball.’ We’ve peeked and the ball has gotten away from us.”

Catcher John Orton, on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27 because of a sore right shoulder, has begun throwing all-out every other day. The Angels plan to send him to the minor leagues--probably to triple-A Edmonton--on rehabilitation assignment before removing him from the DL. . . . Former White Sox designated hitter Bo Jackson was released from the suburban Chicago hospital where he underwent hip-replacement surgery last Saturday.