BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Easley Will Try Second Base Next

Damion Easley, who has adjusted to playing third base, will be asked to move to another position this winter.

Easley, who played shortstop most of the season at triple-A Edmonton before playing six games at third, has been told he will play second base in the new Arizona Fall League. Another switch doesn’t faze Easley, who took a .283 batting average into Friday’s game.

“I set high standards for myself and wherever they put me, I’m going to do my best,” said Easley, who last played second base his freshman year at Long Beach City College. “However it turns out is fine. I want a position (rather than a utility role). I don’t have much say-so right now, but if that’s my role for now, that’s fine with me.”

Rene Gonzales--who had the cast removed from his broken left arm Thursday--is likely to reclaim the third base job next spring if he is re-signed. That would leave Easley and Luis Sojo to compete at second.

“He can probably be an outstanding player at a number of positions, not excluding center field,” Manager Buck Rodgers said of Easley. “He’s got the arm, the quickness and the speed.”

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Twin first baseman Kent Hrbek underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Friday in Minneapolis. The 90-minute procedure repaired a small cartilage tear and bone impingement in the shoulder. Hampered by the injury, Hrbek hit .244 this season.

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Tim Salmon (sprained left wrist) had no discomfort after hitting off a tee and taking batting practice, and reliever Mike Butcher (weak right shoulder) also had a good workout that included seven minutes long-tossing and throwing on the side. Rodgers said each would have to be fit by Tuesday or they would not play again this season. . . . Despite their efforts to move their top farm team from Edmonton, the Angels probably will be affiliated again with the Trappers. Their hopes of moving operations to Las Vegas were dashed when the Padres signed a two-year agreement to play there. The Angels’ other alternative is Vancouver, but the Milwaukee Brewers are also interested in that city.