Unhappy Easley Sent to Vancouver

Utility infielder Damion Easley was optioned to triple-A Vancouver on Saturday, but he sounded more like a player who had been released.

“It’s tough to see the end of the road with a team you’ve put so much time into,” said Easley, sent down to make room for pitcher Dennis Springer. “Do I feel I have any future with this organization? No. But things change from year to year. I love the Angels, but this is not the only team out there.”

Easley was the team’s starting second baseman in 1995 but hit only .216, which prompted the Angels to sign Randy Velarde to a three-year contract and hand him the job.

Easley wasn’t happy with the demotion and was skeptical in spring training when Manager Marcel Lachemann said some utility players play 100 games a year.

Sidelined for most of spring training and the first month of the season because of a shoulder injury, Easley has played in only 28 games this year--10 starts--and hit .156 with seven runs batted in.

“I’ve sat on the bench for two and three weeks at a time,” Easley said. “George Arias is going to play every day at third and [Jack] Howell is going to fill in. [Reserve infielder Rex] Hudler is having a great year and is going to get his at-bats. We have four outfielders who should all be starting, so what am I going to do? Keep the charts, I guess.”

Easley, 26, had kept his frustrations to himself but could no longer hide his feelings Saturday.

“I’m not pleased, to say the least,” he said. “I feel they’ve given up on me.”

Lachemann, who will carry 12 pitchers, said Easley was sent down “because we needed additional depth in the bullpen.” As for Easley’s future with the Angels, Lachemann said: “A lot of guys start their careers, stall, and then get them going again. He still has great tools, and things could change.”

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Right fielder Tim Salmon will miss today’s series finale against Seattle to be with his wife, Marci, who is scheduled to deliver the couple’s second child today. Marci’s due date was Friday, but Salmon said doctors will induce labor today at 7 a.m. . . . Money pit: The Angels are paying $250,000 to a player (Steve Ontiveros) who will not throw a pitch this season, $500,000 to a player (Bryan Harvey) who probably won’t throw a pitch this season, and another $225,000 to a player (Dick Schofield) who did not have a plate appearance in the five games he played in April, has been on the disabled list since April 20 because of personal reasons and has been kept for insurance in case shortstop Gary DiSarcina gets injured.