BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Easley Goes on 15-Day Disabled List

With seven consecutive games looming on artificial turf, the Angels decided to place second baseman Damion Easley on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Saturday.

Easley has been in pain with shin splints since spring training, and his condition has worsened this week.

“It’s frustrating in that it’s persistent, but the nature of shin splints is that you have to give them time to rest,” Angel orthopedist Lewis Yocum said after examining Easley. “(Angel Manager) Buck (Rodgers) was asking me what to do, and I said that seven days on artificial turf is really going to be a problem. If he goes in there at 50%, he’s not going to come out of there like that.”

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Like most minor leaguers, infielder Rod Correia--who replaces Easley on the Angels’ active roster--couldn’t wait to hit the big time. His race to get to Anaheim after being recalled from triple-A Vancouver late Saturday night, though, may not have been in line with the Angel budget.

That cab ride from Los Angeles International Airport to Anaheim?

“Eighty dollars,” said Correia, who made his major league debut as a defensive replacement at shortstop in the ninth inning on Sunday. “I wasn’t supposed to do that, I don’t think. I was supposed to take the shuttle. But I was sitting there waiting. . . . It was taking forever.”

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The White Sox did some quick reshuffling late Saturday night after catcher Ron Karkovice separated a shoulder. They were so embarrassed about the play of Carlton Fisk after Karkovice’s exit--the Angels stole six bases in six innings--that they recalled two catchers.

Mike LaValliere, who had given the White Sox notice that he would retire if they didn’t make a move by Wednesday, was recalled from single-A Sarasota and placed in the starting lineup, and Rick Wrona, up from triple-A Nashville, was in the dugout.

Karkovice is expected to be out for about three weeks.