BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Debut at Third Easy for Easley

Damion Easley, recalled by the Angels from triple-A Edmonton Wednesday, made his major league debut at third base Thursday. His professional experience at the position consists of six games; he played 102 games at shortstop for the Trappers this season and all of his 127 games at shortstop for double-A Midland, Tex., last season.

“It’s something I have to do. I’ll learn to be comfortable,” Easley said of playing third. “I’m glad they put me in right away because I don’t have time to think about it.”

Easley handled five chances without difficulty in the Angels’ 4-1 loss to the A’s at Oakland. However, he’s still looking for his first major league hit, after flying out in his first at-bat and grounding out twice.

“I think I did all right,” he said. “I’m just taking it day by day.”

Before Thursday’s game, the A’s put pitcher Bob Welch on the disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 8, because of a sore right elbow. To replace him, the A’s recalled left-hander Mike Raczka from triple-A Tacoma.

Welch was a late scratch from his scheduled start Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox when he experienced pain in his elbow while warming up. This is Welch’s third trip to the disabled list this season--all with different injuries--and a team-record 20th time the A’s have used the disabled list this season.

The A’s also recalled pitcher Bruce Walton from Tacoma and optioned outfielder Eric Fox there.

Junior Felix’s home run was his eighth, tying him with Gary Gaetti and Chad Curtis for the lead among the Angels. Together, they’re 13 short of Mark McGwire’s total for the A’s this season. . . . McGwire’s two-homer game Thursday was his fifth this season and marked the 23rd time in his career that he has hit two or more in a game.

Hubie Brooks, who has a strained neck, accompanied the Angels on this trip, instead of being sent out on rehabilitation assignment. . . . In putting Rene Gonzales on the disabled list Wednesday, the Angels tied a team record for usage of the DL in a season. It was the 15th time the Angels have put a player on the DL, tying the record set in 1983 and matched in 1990. . . . Bryan Harvey’s elbow surgery is scheduled for today and not Thursday, as was stated in Thursday’s editions. . . . Interim Manager John Wathan will attend his father’s funeral today in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is scheduled to rejoin the team Saturday in Oakland.