BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Pitcher Farrell Will Be Recalled

The Angels, who still consider veteran John Farrell an integral part of their plans in 1994, will recall him from triple-A Vancouver today to replace Russ Springer in the starting rotation.

Springer, 1-6 with a 7.20 earned-run average, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained lower back. Springer, who has been bothered by the back injury the last three starts, will begin a rehabilitative program that is expected to allow him to return by at least September.

“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. We’ll try to get this thing right before the season is over.”

Farrell, 2-8 with a 7.09 ERA in 12 starts before being sent to Vancouver June 16, is trying to recover from a two-year absence because of elbow surgeries. He since has gone 2-5 with a 3.90 ERA in nine starts at Vancouver, striking out 57 and walking 13 in 64 2/3 innings.

Farrell, who turns 31 today, was chosen over Mark Holzemer, 23, for the starting job. He’s scheduled to start Saturday against Chicago.

“We feel Holzemer isn’t quite there yet,” Rodgers said. “He’s still got some command problems, and we won’t want to create a monster up here.”

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First baseman J.T. Snow’s struggles continue at Vancouver. He went 0 for 5 Monday, lowering his batting average to .130 with eight strikeouts in 23 at-bats.

“I’d be very, very surprised if he doesn’t battle out of it,” Rodgers said.

So just what will Rodgers recommend for Snow during the winter to prepare for 1994?

“If I’m wrong, I’ll say, ‘See a psychiatrist,’ ” Rodgers said, “because if he doesn’t come out of it, it will be a very mental trip for him. If I’m right, I’ll say, ‘Take the winter off.’ ”

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Angel second baseman Damion Easley, who underwent further X-rays Tuesday and had nine vials of blood taken to help explain why he has chronic shin splints, said he has virtually resigned himself to missing the rest of the season.

“To be honest with you,” Easley said, “(playing this season) is the furthest thing from my mind. I just want to find out some answers. . . . This is my career, you know.”

Easley said he has been diagnosed with a stress reactor, and still is awaiting test results this week that will determine whether surgery is necessary. He said he also is contemplating seeking a second opinion when these tests are completed.

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Concerned about 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 top reliever the first half of the season with a 1.30 ERA in 33 appearances, has struggled of late. In his last four outings, he yielded a 14.54 ERA, giving up 11 hits and seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.

If he’s placed on the DL, Rodgers said, they likely 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 saved themselves about $170,000 Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants claimed starter Scott Sanderson on waivers. The Giants will pick up Sanderson’s existing $500,000 contract, and must pay all incentives. . . . 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.”