BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Farrell Keeping His Options Open

Right-hander John Farrell knows he might not be around much longer, but he is trying to keep his options open. Farrell, who is 1-2 with a 9.00 ERA, will probably be the odd man out when Brian Anderson returns to the rotation Tuesday night against Minnesota.

Farrell, who has more than five years of major league experience, would not be required to report to triple-A Vancouver if the Angels ask him to.

“My goal is to keep pitching in the big leagues, whether it’s as a starter or a reliever,” he said. “If they want me to go down, I’d have to clear waivers, so that may present some other options.

“Right now, I’d have to say that I’d be inclined not to go back to the minors, but I’ll wait to make a decision.”

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Mark Dalesandro, recalled from Vancouver when Damion Easley was put on the disabled list Saturday night, arrived in the Angel clubhouse Sunday with a weary smile.

“I got less than four hours’ sleep, but sleep is the last thing on my mind,” he said. “I just want to help the team and hopefully I’ll be here longer than just a few days.”

Dalesandro batted .317 with 31 RBIs in 51 games at Vancouver.

“I’ve been swinging the bat pretty well, but I didn’t think much about the situation up here and I think that helped me,” he said. “I was able to stay focused.”

Dalesandro, who played at all three minor league levels in 1993, has had enough to think about since becoming almost a full-time catcher.

“I’m more comfortable at the corners, either first or third, but I’m learning more about catching every day,” he said. “I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m getting better at handling pitchers and calling a game.”

Dalesandro says right-hander Russ Springer, who was 0-2 with a 14.34 ERA during the spring, has made a complete about face recently. Springer is 6-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 11 starts for the Canadians.

“His velocity is great and he’s throwing his curve for strikes,” Dalesandro said. “He’s gone seven or more innings in his last five or six starts. The last time I caught him, he was really throwing the ball well.”