ANGELS : Easley Sidelined for at Least a Week

Damion Easley, projected to be the Angels’ starting second baseman this season, was told by the club Saturday to sit out at least one week because of shin splints.

Easley’s condition was diagnosed as inflammation of his lower legs, according to Dr. Jan Fronek, but X-rays were negative.

Fronek said the injury was caused by “overuse,” and expects Easley to return in about a week without complications. However, if the pain does not subside in three days, Fronek recommended that Easley undergo a magnetic resonance imaging test.

“At this point, I’m concerned about it,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said before the Angels’ 8-0 exhibition loss to the San Diego Padres. “But I’m not worried about it. If it’s not improved after a week or 10 days, then I’ll start to worry.”

Easley began experiencing shin splints while working out this winter. He stopped the workouts for one week, and again for two weeks.

“I was just hoping it would go away,” he said. “But when I got to spring training, it started to get worse and worse. On Thursday, it got to me. I woke up at 5 in the morning, and tried to walk it off, but it was aching.

“That’s when I told them it was killing me.”

Easley is taking anti-inflammatory medication and will undergo ultrasound treatments. He also will have orthopedic inserts put in his shoes.

“We just want to make sure the problem is not a recurring thing,” Rodgers said. “And hopefully we’ll find out what causes it.”

If the injury keeps Easley out of the lineup for more than a week, Rodgers said he will play Rene Gonzales at second and give more playing time to third baseman Gary Gaetti.

“We’ll probably be looking at other organizations to find out what middle infielders are available, too, especially in the utility roles,” Rodgers said.

The Angels will meet today with American League President Bobby Brown to talk about ways to speed up the game and might also file a protest over the Kelly Gruber trade.

“We’re not going to ask to rescind the trade,” Rodgers said. “But what is right is right. I think they should pay his salary until he’s healthy.

“I talked to Kelly about it, and they knew he was hurt after the third game of the (World) Series.”

Said Gord Ash, Toronto Blue Jay assistant general manager: “We’re fully prepared for their actions. We have nothing to hide.”

Padre first baseman Fred McGriff upon seeing Angel designated hitter Chili Davis: “I guess you’re the veteran over there, now.”

Said Davis: “Forget that, I feel like the grandpa.”

Starter Chuck Finley was one of the few bright spots for the Angels against the Padres, yielding one hit in two innings. “Last year, it was June or July before we saw him throw his fastball like that,” Rodgers said. . . . Said Finley, who was 7-12 last season: “I’m trying to use this spring to get myself mentally right, as well as physically. Last year, when I got myself in trouble, I just wasn’t as aggressive as I was in the past. I won’t be making that same mistake.” . . . Angel reliever Troy Percival had a tough debut, yielding three runs--two earned--in one inning and committing one of the Angels’ five errors. . . . What was the hottest autograph request in town during the weekend? That of Angel batting coach Rod Carew, who was swarmed by Padre players when he entered their clubhouse.