BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : New Season, New Number for Springer

Angel starter Russ Springer arrived early to the clubhouse Saturday morning in Tempe, Ariz., borrowed a magic marker, and methodically began changing the number on all of his belongings.

Springer was told that he has been stripped of his number (40) this year, and it instead will be passed along to Frank Tanana. Springer has been relegated to No. 43.

“You know, I was thinking of dismissing the number anyway,” Springer said. “All it brought me was bad luck. I don’t want anything reminding me of last year. The whole year was a nightmare.”

Springer, who was expected to replace Jim Abbott in the starting rotation, instead couldn’t even make it out of spring training. He was optioned to triple-A Vancouver for the first two months, and things never got much better when he returned to the big leagues. He was 1-6 with a 7.62 ERA in his nine starts, and his season ended Aug. 1 with a stress fracture in his lower back.

“This year’s going to be different,” Springer said. “I wanted to leave everybody with a first impression because everybody knew I was replacing Jim Abbott. Instead I left a rotten impression that hasn’t gone away. I’ve got to change that.”

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Shortstop Gary DiSarcina, whose season ended Aug. 26 with a broken thumb, arrived to camp early, only to discover the precautions the Angels have taken by signing several veteran middle infielders.

“That’s the last time I ever get hurt,” he said, laughing. “I’m gone awhile and they bring in five infielders. Really, I’m fine.”