BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Pitcher Farrell Will Be Recalled

The Angels will recall John Farrell from triple-A Vancouver today to replace Russ Springer in the rotation.

Springer, 1-6 with a 7.20 ERA, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained lower back.

“He’s tried to pitch with it the last two or three times out, trying to impress us,” Manager Buck Rodgers said. “But we don’t want to hurt him. He’s got too good of an arm to mess with.”

Farrell, 2-8 with a 7.09 ERA in 12 starts before being sent to Vancouver on June 16, is trying to recover from a two-year absence because of elbow surgeries. He is 2-5 with a 3.90 ERA in nine starts at Vancouver.

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First baseman J.T. Snow was hitless in five at-bats for Vancouver Monday, lowering his batting average to .130 with eight strikeouts in 23 at-bats.

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Concerned about veteran reliever Gene Nelson’s tender neck and shoulder, the Angels will make a decision before Friday’s nine-game trip whether to place him on the 15-day disabled list.

Nelson, who had been a mainstay in the bullpen the first half of the season with a 1.30 ERA in 33 appearances, has a 14.54 ERA in his last four outings, giving up 11 hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.

If he is put on the disabled list, Rodgers said, the Angels probably will call up either Scott Lewis or Darryl Scott from Vancouver.

“(Lewis) has picked up a forkball that has given him a new lease on life,” Rodgers said.

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The Angels will discuss in two weeks whether to bring up outfielder Jerome Walton and perhaps Jim Edmonds in September, preparing themselves for the possible free-agent departure of Luis Polonia. “Left field is an area where you need to have a veteran,” Rodgers said, “whether it’s Luis Polonia or a free agent.”

Angel catcher John Orton played soft-toss Tuesday, and the club will determine Thursday whether he will make the trip or continue to receive therapy in Anaheim. . . . Angel outfielder Chad Curtis and Polonia have combined for 111 steal attempts this season. . . . The Angel outfield has combined for 29 assists this season, best in the major leagues.