BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Gruber Put on DL, Easley Is Back

As expected, the Angels on Sunday placed third baseman Kelly Gruber on the 15-day disabled list and activated second baseman Damion Easley, inserting him in the lineup at third base. Rene Gonzales moved from third to first, replacing J.T. Snow for one game.

Gruber is still troubled by pain from rotator-cuff surgery on his left shoulder during the off-season and by disk problems in his neck. He said last week he has numbness and a tingling sensation in his fingertips after diving for ground balls. He also said he wants to avoid neck surgery if at all possible.

He hasn’t played since leaving last Tuesday’s game in Oakland after the fifth inning because of discomfort in the shoulder and neck. He was batting .277 with three home runs and nine RBIs.

*

Asked if he was pleased the Angels were only three games out of first place despite losing six consecutive games going into Sunday, or disappointed they hadn’t used the chance to win and move back into first place, Manager Buck Rodgers said:

“The worst thing we can do is look at the standings with this club. If we start letting expectations of winning the pennant interfere with our improvement, then we’re going backward. Any pluses we get from being contenders is icing on cake. It’s been a very satisfying first half with our development.

“As far as us moving away from first place. . . . Hey, we were in first place for 15-20 games or whatever it was.”