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

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

The Angels 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 in the minors.

Veteran John Farrell likely will replace Butcher. Farrell is 1-2 with a 3.15 earned-run average at Vancouver, striking out 18 in 20 innings. The Angels also are considering Russ Springer.

“We’re going to do something, probably in the next couple of days,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “I hope that was the bottom of the barrel that you saw (Thursday). He (Butcher) lost all of his composure.

“We know the arm is still there, but it has become increasingly apparent the head isn’t. I think when he had that little incision (in September), and things didn’t come back exactly like he wanted, subconsciously he thought he was losing it.

“He changed his delivery, and right now his command is bothering him, he’s got no release point, and he has no idea where he is.”

Butcher, who struggled all spring, has a 16.62 ERA and .381 batting average this season. Instead of showing any improvement, his ERA is 72.00 in his last three outings, allowing 11 baserunners in one inning.

“This has been my all-time low,” said Butcher, who yielded four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning Thursday in the Angels’ 11-8 victory. “I just want a clean slate and start all over. I believe in myself now.”

Butcher talked until nearly 4 a.m. with Angel pitching coach Chuck Hernandez about his woes, leaving with an abundance of confidence. Yet, Rodgers and General Manager Bill Bavasi agreed Friday that for Butcher to regain that confidence, he needs to go to Vancouver.