BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Springer Isn’t Ready Yet

The Angels were hoping that starter Russ Springer would be ready to rejoin the club by April 18, but they have decided he will have to spend more time at triple-A Vancouver.

“We want Springer to come up with more than one pitch that he can throw over the plate more than 50% of the time,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “The fastball is the only pitch he’s got right now. We want him to get the cutter and changeup, and once he does that, he’ll pitch in the big leagues.”

Springer, the only starter acquired in the Jim Abbott trade, struggled in his first start at Tacoma on Thursday night, yielding six hits and five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, walking five and striking out six.

“I don’t want to make excuses for him,” Vancouver pitching coach Gary Ruby said, “but the field was unplayable there. There was 2 1/2 inches of rain in the outfield. If it was a major league game, it wouldn’t have been played.

“We told him just to throw his fastball. He did all right, but his command was shaky. Obviously, that has to improve.”

Julio Valera is expected to rejoin the rotation and become the Angels’ fifth starter.

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Angel rookie right fielder Tim Salmon was hospitalized Friday morning while trying to pass a kidney stone, but not wanting to miss the game, reported to the stadium by the first inning without having passed the stone. Stan Javier started in his place. . . . Angel reliever Scott Lewis, on the disabled list because of a bruised right elbow, threw before the game and said he felt no pain. . . . Starter Mark Langston received his fourth Gold Glove before the game, and thanked 91-year-old coach Jimmie Reese for helping him accomplish the feat.