BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Butcher Expected to Be Sent Down

Mike Butcher, originally projected as the bullpen stopper this season, is expected to be demoted this weekend to Vancouver, the Angels’ triple-A affiliate.

The Angels had hoped they could resolve Butcher’s problems during this trip, but after his outing Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles, they decided he needs to refine his skills.

Butcher probably will be replaced by veteran John Farrell, who is 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA at Vancouver and has struck out 18 in 20 innings. The Angels also are considering Russ Springer.

*

John Wathan, Boston Red Sox bullpen coach, managed and won his first game Thursday since 1992, when he was interim manager of the Angels after the bus crash. He filled in for Manager Butch Hobson, who was in Alabama to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

Although Wathan is considered a candidate to replace Hobson if he is fired, Wathan is playing down speculation. “We talked about it a lot,” Wathan said. “I told (Hobson) I’m not here to take his job, and I think he has gained confidence in me.”