Springer Sent to Minors

Dennis Springer pitched well enough in his first start Thursday to stay in the Angel rotation, but he will spend the next two weeks in triple-A Vancouver’s rotation.

Springer, who gave up three runs on six hits in six innings in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins, was optioned to Vancouver after Sunday’s game because Manager Terry Collins, taking advantage of two off-days, will go with a four-man rotation until early May.

Third baseman George Arias, hitting .182, was recalled from Vancouver, but when catcher Todd Greene is eligible to be recalled Thursday, he will probably replace Arias.

Mark Langston provided the impetus for the move when, pitching on five days’ rest, he was hit hard by the Royals on Saturday night. With off-days Thursday and next Monday, Collins didn’t want his other starters pitching with an extra day’s rest.

Langston will start against Toronto on three days’ rest, but Angel starters can go on their normal four days’ rest until May 3, when Collins will decide to come back with Langston on three days’ rest or recall a fifth pitcher.

“We want to make sure Springer stays in sync because we may need him--that’s why he’s going to Vancouver,” Collins said. “A knuckleball pitcher needs regular work to stay effective.”

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Angel right fielder Tim Salmon was in a three-for-36 slump when the Angels arrived in Kansas City, but since moving from the cleanup spot to the No. 5 hole he’s seven for nine with six runs batted in. Now he’s not sure he wants to return to the cleanup spot. “Let’s let this ride a bit,” he said. “I don’t want it to play head games with me, but it’s kind of ironic.” . . . Salmon was more adept with the bat than he was with the razor Sunday. He cut himself shaving and played with a huge Band-Aid on his neck. “I don’t know if the bleeding has stopped,” he said. . . . The Angels’ five runs in the first inning Sunday were the most they have scored in an inning this season, and marked only the second time they have batted around.