Hough Says Springer Can Help in Relief

Manager Marcel Lachemann, apprehensive about having knuckleball pitcher Dennis Springer in the bullpen, phoned one of the masters of the pitch, Charlie Hough, for advice Saturday afternoon.

Springer had an impressive spring for the Angels, but Lachemann followed conventional wisdom by sending him to triple-A Vancouver so he could pitch more innings as a starter.

But with Lee Smith on the disabled list, Lachemann needed help and summoned Springer.

“Charlie says it [a knuckleball thrown effectively by a reliever] can be done,” Lachemann said. “It’s a matter of throwing it a lot because it’s a ‘feel’ pitch. The other thing Charlie said is that a knuckleballer can always go on less rest. They can always go four or five innings in relief. If you bring him in on back-to-back nights he should be even better.”

Hough, now pitching coach for the Dodgers’ Class-A affiliate at San Bernardino, stressed mechanics when he had a chance to tutor Springer in the late 1980s.

“He helped me a lot that way,” Springer said. “I always played around with it in college. Midway through my year in ‘A’ ball [at Bakersfield], I was having a terrible year and they said, ‘We’ll give you a shot to start, but you have to throw it all the time.’ ”

Springer threw two hitless innings in his Angel debut Friday.

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Former Angel Tony Phillips, never one to keep his opinions to himself, picks his old club to win the American League West. Why?

“They learned from last year,” said Phillips, now the White Sox starting left fielder. “Lach was a rookie manager last year. He learned. They have a great coaching staff. Look at that outfield. First base. Shortstop. They can only get better as time goes on.

“They added Randy Velarde. He’s a pro. He’s not going to fill my shoes [as leadoff hitter]. I’m not saying he can’t. If he does what he’s capable of, he’s going to help.”

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Chicago infielder Norberto Martin was put on the 60-day disabled list because of multiple facial fractures, suffered when he fouled off a bunt into his face in Friday’s game. The White Sox purchased the contract of Jose Munoz from triple-A Nashville to replace Martin.