BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Butcher’s Control Concerns Lachemann

Manager Marcel Lachemann remains troubled by reliever Mike Butcher’s wildness. The Angels haven’t decided to send Butcher to triple-A Vancouver, despite the fact that eight of the past 11 batters he has faced have reached base.

Instead, Lachemann moved Butcher into a long-relief role, hoping longer outings will help him solve his control problems.

“The biggest thing is he needs to get consistent with his delivery,” Lachemann said. “He’s either right there or anywhere. He hasn’t given up on himself. He’s struggling, no doubt about that. Sometimes, it only takes one good outing. Or even a third of an inning.

“Any time you’re in a slump, whether batting or pitching, it’s mental. The mind controls everything you do.”

Butcher’s move will not have an impact on either Mark Leiter or Russ Springer, Lachemann said. He said he now prefers to use Leiter and Springer later in games rather than earlier. Joe Grahe’s job as closer remains unchanged.

Butcher, 2-1 with a 7.77 earned-run average, has given up seven runs in his last 11 2/3 innings.

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Rex Hudler said he carried on a running conversation with the fans seated near the foul pole during his start in left field Saturday night and wonders why other players don’t interact with fans more often.

“When they did the tale of the tape after the home run, I flexed (like a bodybuilder) and they cheered,” Hudler said. “In Japan last year, they chanted your name after a homer until you acknowledged them. Hey, people on stage in a theater bow when they get applause.”

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Third baseman Eduardo Perez received a cortisone shot for his sprained left thumb. He will rejoin Vancouver today. . . . Catcher Greg Myers left in the eighth inning because of a bruised left knee. . . . Texas outfielder Rusty Greer, hit in the right temple by Butcher in the sixth inning of Saturday’s game, has a concussion and his status is day to day. He entered Sunday’s game as a pinch-hitter for Chris James in the eighth inning. . . . Ranger catcher Ivan Rodriguez left the game after suffering a jammed right thumb while batting in the first inning. X-rays were negative.