BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Easley Says He Finally Is Pain-Free

Third baseman Damion Easley woke up each morning during the off-season and hoped that would be the day the pain in his shins eased.

Three or four weeks into spring training, the discomfort began to fade--and with it memories of shin splints that were eventually diagnosed as Tibial Stress Syndrome. Easley underwent surgery Aug. 24, and now he’s feeling good again.

“It’s put me in a lot better mood, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “I’d forgotten what it feels like (to be pain-free).”

After playing only 73 games last season and batting .313, Easley hopes his shin problems are behind him. Manager Buck Rodgers wants to give Easley enough days off this season to thwart any flare-up.

Easley began Sunday’s game on the bench, but was a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning, drawing a walk. Later, he made a superb stop and a strong throw on Pat Borders’ hard smash with the bases loaded and two out in the 10th inning.

“I think I’ve paid my dues for this,” Easley said. “Let this be the only time I have a serious injury.

“I’m happy, happy to be back doing my thing.”

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With standout relievers Danny Cox and Duane Ward on the disabled list, Toronto Manager Cito Gaston has made Todd Stottlemyre his closer. Stottlemyre took on the assignment willingly, but acknowledged that it can fray the nerves.

“I like being the guy who comes in with the game on the line,” said Stottlemyre, who pitched the ninth and 10th on Sunday, picking up his first victory of the season. “I’ve enjoyed it, but I’ve had my ups and downs. It’s a roller-coaster ride, but that’s the fun of it.”

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Rodgers inserted Rex Hudler into the leadoff spot, moving Chad Curtis to second in the order. Spike Owen started at third base, but gave way to Easley in the eighth inning. . . . Former Angel Dick Schofield’s single in the fifth inning gave him a hit against every American League club. . . . First baseman J.T. Snow is batting .286 with one home run and eight runs batted in at triple-A Vancouver.