BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Fallout From 11-10 Loss Hits Springer

The fallout from Monday night’s 11-10 loss to the Mariners, in which the Angels blew a 9-1 lead, was immediate.

Knuckleballer Dennis Springer, who gave up three runs in a third of an inning, was sent to triple-A Vancouver, and Shawn Boskie’s status was thrown into limbo after he pitched timidly with an eight-run lead, allowing the Mariners back in the game.

“Right now, it’s undecided,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said of Boskie’s next start. Phil Leftwich (2-0, 1.93 earned-run average) and Jason Grimsley (2-0, 1.20) threw well in their first two triple-A starts and are the rotation candidates.

Lachemann is also considering an 11-man pitching staff instead of 10, meaning Boskie could wind up in the bullpen, where he has had some success in his six-year major league career.

The Angels replaced Springer with reliever Todd Frohwirth, a submarine-style right-hander who pitched the eighth Tuesday night without giving up a run. He had a 1.29 ERA in three appearances with Vancouver. Frohwirth, 33, has spent parts of eight seasons with three major league teams.

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Designated hitter Chili Davis sat out his second consecutive game because of back spasms, but Angel athletic trainer Ned Bergert said Davis has shown improvement since Monday, and Lachemann said Davis could return as early as Thursday. . . . Closer Lee Smith (swollen right knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, but Lachemann said Smith will be sent to Class-A Lake Elsinore Friday and will make several rehabilitation appearances before he is activated. . . . Reliever Bryan Harvey, recovering from major elbow surgery, won’t begin a rehab assignment until mid-May at the earliest.

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The Angels dispatched a clubhouse attendant to a grocery store during Monday night’s game to purchase a bottle of champagne, which they planned to give to Mike Aldrete, who hit a grand slam and had a career-high five RBIs. But when Seattle came back and won, the post-game presentation was canceled.

Aldrete wasn’t in the lineup against Seattle ace Randy Johnson on Tuesday night.