BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Leftwich Called Up to Join Rotation

Scott Sanderson, his eyes still moist Wednesday after being told he was being released by the Angels, walked over to the kid putting on his first major league uniform.

“Best of luck,” Sanderson said, sticking out his hand. “Enjoy it.”

It was the official passing of the torch in the Angel rotation, with Sanderson, 37, departing for Phil Leftwich, 24.

“I’m ecstatic to be here,” Leftwich said, “I just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances. I knew he had been struggling, but I hate coming up here and move someone out.

“I feel bad for him because he’s such a class act.”

Leftwich, who has recovered physically from a left knee operation and emotionally this year from the death of his grandmother, is projected to be a fixture in the Angel rotation.

He was 7-7 with a 4.64 earned-run average at triple-A Vancouver, but 5-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his last nine starts.

“Phil Leftwich had been tearing up the PCL,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “There was no use waiting any longer. We substituted a veteran who was struggling to a guy who was primed to take his spot.”

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The Angels saved $225,000 by releasing Sanderson on Wednesday rather than delaying their decision to August or September. Sanderson was paid a base salary of $500,000. He was also paid $75,000 for reaching his 20th start, and could have earned a total of $300,000 in incentives if he had pitched 200 innings or made 30 starts.

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The Angels are optimistic of signing first-round pick Brian Anderson within a week. That’s because pitcher Wayne Gomes, who was drafted fourth--one spot ahead of Anderson--signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for a $750,000 bonus and $100,000 for his first minor league season. The Angels are expected to sign Anderson for $800,000 to $900,000.

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Damion Easley was kept out of Wednesday’s lineup because of his chronic shin splints and probably will miss at least tonight’s game. “The most frustrating thing about all this is that we still have no idea what it is,” Rodgers said. “At some point, we’re going to have to ask ourselves, can we count on this person or not? It’s as frustrating to him as it is to us.” Easley had X-rays Wednesday night, which were negative.