BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : FREEWAY SERIES : Angels Make It Official and Send Snow to Vancouver

Outfielder Dwight Smith completed a workout before Saturday night’s game against the Dodgers at Anaheim Stadium and said his strained calf muscle “felt real good.” As a result, the Angels optioned first baseman J.T. Snow to the club’s triple-A affiliate in Vancouver.

The move was not official until the Angels made the announcement at 8:30 Saturday night, but Snow, who said last week that he hoped to be traded, seemed resigned to his fate before Saturday’s game.

“When the trade rumors started three weeks ago, it was kind of mind-boggling, but now. . . .” Snow said. “It’s just that I don’t think I have anything left to prove in triple A.”

Snow hit .313 with triple-A Columbus in the Yankees’ organization in 1992 and .340 with Vancouver last season. He became the odd man out when the Angels decided Eduardo Perez’ tender elbow would not hold up for a season in the outfield and switched him to first base.

“They said they wanted to get 500 at-bats for Eddie and that would have to be at first,” Snow said. “I have nothing against Eddie and I hope he’s a success.

“But I was American League player of the week twice last year and one of the best defensive first basemen in the league. I came back strong at the end of last season, worked my tail off during the offseason and this all is just hard to believe.”

Snow, 26, hit .241 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs in 129 games last season. He hit .208 with one homer and five RBIs this spring.

What can he do in Vancouver to convince the Angels to recall him?

“Sometimes, when there’s a guy ahead of you, if he plays well and doesn’t get hurt, there’s nothing you can do,” Manager Buck Rodgers said. “He just has to go down there and do the best he can and keep his trade value up.”

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General Manager Bill Bavasi said Saturday night that the Angels will not make just any deal to accommodate Snow’s wish to be traded.

“We think he’s a very talented player with a bright future and we don’t want to just throw that away,” Bavasi said. “We’ll proceed on a daily basis to try and improve the club and we’ll listen to offers.

“Snow is a quality player and there will be options, but right now, we think the best thing for him is to play every day.”

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The Dodgers released infielder Mike Sharperson from his minor league contract.