BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Finally, Help Available for Rodgers

Two years ago, the Angels had only 32 players on their 40-man roster because of the organization’s lack of talent. But if someone starts to struggle now, Angel Manager Buck Rodgers knows he has plenty of candidates available.

Starting pitchers John Farrell (4-3, 3.06 earned-run average) and Russ Springer (2-4, 3.40 ERA) are ready to be called up, and first baseman J.T. Snow is batting .291 with four homers and 21 runs batted in.

Perhaps this is why when Rodgers was asked if he’ll continue to play Eduardo Perez (.200), no matter how long he struggles, Rodgers shook his head.

“He’s not here thick or thin,” Rodgers said. “Nobody is, unless I get a 10-year contract.”

Rodgers said there is no need to call up a pitcher now, but for the first time since he has been with the Angels, he at least has options.

“We didn’t even want to bring John Farrell with us last year, but we didn’t have anybody else,” Rodgers said. “Then, we didn’t want to keep him, but we still didn’t have anybody else.

“Believe me, things have changed.”

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Angel pitcher Mark Langston was given clearance to start Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, just 30 days after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery.

“What did he have? Dr. Spock come over and zap the bone chips out of there?” Ranger starter Bruce Hurst said. “That’s incredible. I had my surgery 17 months ago, and I’m just getting back now.”

The Angels will activate Langston on Wednesday, and are expected to make room for him on the roster by optioning reliever Bill Sampen to triple-A Vancouver.

They also will move Mark Leiter’s start back to Saturday to accommodate Langston. Joe Magrane will be pushed back to Sunday.

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First baseman Eduardo Perez, who has a sprained ligament in his left hand, took 25 swings in the batting cage Monday and is scheduled to start tonight for the first time since May 4.

Dr. Lewis Yocum is scheduled to fly into town Wednesday, and he will then re-examine Perez and make a determination if he needs to be placed on the disabled list.

“My dad played 23 years and never went on the DL,” Perez said, “I don’t want to start that now. . .

“If it’s going to hurt me, and I’m not at my fullest, I should go on the DL. I’m not going to go out there if I’m not helping the team.”

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Starter Brian Anderson, who broke his left thumb Friday night, was examined Sunday and was informed that he could be back within four weeks, instead of six weeks as originally projected.

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Catcher Chris Turner, who has not started a game in a week, will return to the lineup tonight.

Turner, who is batting .119 this season, has been working the last few days in an attempt to resurrect his batting skills.

“He had a little bit of a brain cramp,” Rodgers said, “so we’ve given him time to work it out.”