BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Veteran Tanana Is Given Release
The Angels are seriously considering converting Russ Springer to a bullpen stopper.
“We’ve actually been thinking about it ever since we got him,” Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said, “but it’s been talked about a lot more lately.”
Springer, who retired nine in a row after a leadoff single in his three-inning stint of the Angels’ 5-2 defeat to the San Diego Padres in Tempe, has started only one game this spring. Although he would prefer to start, he says he wouldn’t mind being a closer.
“As long as I have a role, and they don’t have me bouncing back and forth, that’s fine,” Springer said. “Anything beats going back to Vancouver and watching it snow for two months.”
If Springer is kept solely as a starter, the Angel bullpen is set: Mike Butcher, Joe Grahe, Bill Sampen, Bob Patterson, Lee Guetterman and Scott Lewis.
Although newly acquired pitcher Mark Leiter can start and relieve, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said he is considering Leiter only as a starter.
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