BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Plans for Big Trade Fade as Team Sinks in West

With the July 31 trading deadline approaching and the Angels fading in the American League West, there is no longer a sense of urgency to make a major deal to obtain a starting pitcher.

“You’re either right there, a game ahead or a game back, and you want to do something to get over the hump, or you’re in Group 2, where you’re not really sure,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “Then there’s Group 3, the teams that are out of it and are waving veterans out to gather prospects.”

The Angels entered Friday night’s game 10 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers, but Bavasi still places his team in the second group, which some have called baseball purgatory.

“Say we put some things together, win a few games and Texas goes into a slump, and by the trading deadline we’re six games back,” Bavasi said. “Who are we? What do we do? We’re in that group.”

Bavasi has had numerous discussions about a potential trade involving left fielder Garret Anderson, and first baseman J.T. Snow has come up in some talks, but the longer the Angels remain out of contention, the less likely they’ll make a deal during the season.

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Knuckleballer Dennis Springer joined the Angels from triple-A Vancouver Friday and will be activated to start tonight against the Mariners, a move necessitated by scheduled starter Ryan Hancock’s 4 1/3 innings of relief against Seattle Thursday night.

Springer, who had a 14.21 earned-run average in six Angel appearances from April 5-May 15, went 10-3 with a 2.72 earned-run average at Vancouver.

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The Class-A Lancaster JetHawks were geared up for Seattle ace Randy Johnson’s scheduled rehabilitation start Friday night, but the left-hander was scratched after visiting Los Angeles back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, who recommended Johnson not pitch competitively for at least two more weeks. . . . Former Angel outfielder Mike Aldrete pitched a scoreless inning for the New York Yankees in their 16-4 loss to Milwaukee Thursday night. . . The Angels will hold their fifth of six free baseball clinics for Orange County youths age 6-13 today at Sonora High School in La Habra. The program, featuring instruction by Angel players and coaches, will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.