BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Arias Sent Down; Easley Called Up

George Arias’ batting average (.184) was horrendous and his timing wasn’t very good. For those reasons, the rookie third baseman was sent to triple-A Vancouver.

Veterans Tim Wallach and Jack Howell will split time at third, and infielder Damion Easley was recalled from a minor league rehabilitation assignment to take Arias’ roster spot.

When Arias won the third-base job by batting .388 with four homers and 15 RBIs in spring training, he was told to concentrate primarily on defense--that the Angels, with a potent offense that ranked second in the American League in runs last season, really wouldn’t need him to hit.

But with the Angel power shortage continuing into May--they ranked last in the league in runs, 13th in doubles and triples and 12th in on-base percentage before Friday night’s game against Cleveland, Arias’ struggles in the No. 7 spot were all the more glaring.

“That was a factor,” said Manager Marcel Lachemann, who benched Arias for five of the last six games. “The big thing is George has to play every day, and the move was also dictated by that.

“But he’ll be back. He just needs to get his stroke back, and that’s easier to do against weaker pitching.”

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The Walt Disney Co. is expected to assume operational control of the Angels next week, and one of the company’s first moves will be to release 15-20 front-office officials.

Baseball operations employees, such as General Manager Bill Bavasi and assistant GM Tim Mead, are not expected to be affected by the ownership change, but President Richard Brown is not expected to be retained.

“It’s no big secret that in my case it’s highly likely I’ll be moving on,” said Brown, who has held his current position since 1990. “But my main concern is that people here get settled in their lives.”