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. Now, Manager Buck Rodgers knows if someone starts to struggle, he has plenty of candidates available.

Starting pitchers John Farrell (4-3, 3.06 ERA) and Russ Springer (2-4, 3.40 ERA) are ready for the big leagues, and first baseman J.T. Snow is batting .291 with four homers and 21 RBIs.

Rodgers says there is no need to call up a pitcher, 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 cleared to start Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, 30 days after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery.

Said Ranger starter Bruce Hurst: “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.

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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. . . . Angel starter Brian Anderson, who suffered a broken left thumb Friday night, was examined Sunday and was told he might be back within four weeks, instead of six weeks as originally projected.