BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

The Angels sent catcher Pat Borders to the Chicago White Sox for minor-league pitcher Robert Ellis.

Ellis, a right-hander, had a 3-8 record and 6.01 earned-run average in 19 games for triple-A Nashville. He was demoted to double-A Birmingham on July 19 and was 0-1 with an 11.05 ERA in two games.

“He’s another arm,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said of Ellis.

To be sure, but hardly the one the club appears to need to rejoin the American League West playoff race. The trading deadline is Wednesday and Bavasi merely shrugged when asked about further deals.

Catcher Don Slaught was activated from the disabled list, replacing Borders, and Ellis was assigned to triple-A Vancouver. Slaught had been sidelined by back spasms since July 16.

Borders, acquired from St. Louis on June 15, batted .228 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 19 games for the Angels.

His departure means Slaught and Jorge Fabregas will handle the catching duties.

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Mark Langston’s first start back from the disabled list has bounced from Saturday to Tuesday to today. Langston, sidelined by a calf injury, will be pressed into duty because Shawn Boskie has a tender right elbow. Boskie will start against Detroit on Thursday instead. To make room for Langston on the roster, the Angels sent seldom-used reliever Shad Williams to Vancouver. Williams is 0-2 with an 8.89 ERA in 13 games with the Angels. . . . Right fielder Tim Salmon, a .171 hitter lifetime against Milwaukee starter Ben McDonald, got the day off. Garret Anderson started in Salmon’s place and had three hits.