BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: GREENE MIGHT NOT HAVE SURGERY.

Byline: Associated Press

Less than a week after resigning himself to the idea that he would have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, Angels catcher Todd Greene might now be able to avoid it.

Last week, Greene all but decided to have surgery because he wanted to make sure he'd be ready for the start of next season. But after getting the opinion of Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe and conferring again with the Angels' Dr. Lewis Yocum, there is a possibility of Greene playing in 1998.

He will get one more opinion on Thursday - Dr. James Andrews of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - before making a final decision.

``What this means is we don't have to shut him down to where he's no longer in the picture,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said. ``If something happens to Tim (Salmon) in September, we might be able to use him (as a DH).

However, Collins is more focused on winning this season, whereas Greene is looking at the future. If Greene decides to give up catching for good, surgery might not be necessary. But Greene is reluctant to do so and having surgery now would give him more than the four months of recovery time needed to be ready next spring.

Springer a Brave: Atlanta, one of the National League's best teams but bedeviled all season by a spotty bullpen, acquired right-hander Russ Springer from Arizona for lefty Alan Embree.

The Braves thus completed a sweep of their bullpen. Embree was the last member of the unit that started the 1997 season. Closer Mark Wohlers, hurt and ineffective this season, was optioned to the minor leagues last week in an attempt to regain his touch.

The Braves, whose 50-26 record matches San Diego's as best in the NL, displayed its bullpen problems Monday night. Atlanta led the New York Yankees 4-3 when starter Greg Maddux left after six innings. The bullpen then gave up three runs and the Yankees won 6-4.

Springer (4-3) was the only pitcher on expansion Arizona's opening-day roster with a winning record. He had a 4.13 ERA in 32-2/3 innings.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO TODD GREENE

Will seek a third opinion on whether to have surgery on his ailing right shoulder.