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 felt immediately Tuesday.

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 ERA) 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 had a 1.29 earned-run average in three appearances with Vancouver. Frohwirth, 33, has spent parts of eight seasons with three major league teams but pitched last season at triple-A Buffalo.

To make room on the 25-man roster, the Angels designated catcher Chris Turner for assignment from the 40-man roster. The Angels have 10 days to either trade or release Turner or outright him back to Vancouver.

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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.

“I haven’t had a whole lot of days when I’ve had a chance to feel good about myself,” said Aldrete, a career backup who has only 772 major league at-bats in 10 years. “But that feel-good emotion wasn’t there.”

Where did the performance rank on Aldrete’s list? “That’s better than a couple of years I’ve had,” he said. “That was definitely my best night in the big leagues.”

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

“That’s why I hit into that double play at the end [of Monday night’s game],” Aldrete said. “I didn’t want the manager to think I was getting real hot.”

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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.