BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : ANGELS : Easley Will Try Second Base Next

Damion Easley, who has made a remarkably deft adjustment to playing third base, will be asked to adjust to another new 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 some second base in the new Arizona Fall League. Another switch doesn’t faze Easley, who has also been impressive at the plate and 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 fractured 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.

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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 only .244 this season.

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Hubie Brooks, hoping for a successful September as he comes back from neck surgery, is only six for 36 since his return. “He hasn’t shown much obviously in the time he’s come back, but we’re not through,” Rodgers said. “(Thursday) he saw seven hanging sliders and six he fouled off and one he popped up. That’s not Hubie Brooks. . . . I’d like to see him put on a little bit of a streak.”

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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 will have to be fit by Tuesday or they won’t play again this season. . . . Despite their efforts to move their top farm team from Edmonton, the Angels are likely to again be affiliated with the Trappers. Their hopes of moving operations to Las Vegas were dashed when the Padres signed a two-year agreement to play there.

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Former Angel Craig Gerber was named the team’s assistant director of sales and marketing. Gerber, 33, has been a sales representative in the season and group sales department since last November. . . .