BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Davis Improves; Boskie Will Miss Start

The All-Star break did wonders for designated hitter Chili Davis’ strained left hamstring but has left the Angels wondering about pitcher Shawn Boskie’s right arm.

Boskie, whose elbow stiffened slightly during his last start July 5, experienced more discomfort when he tried to throw in Arizona Wednesday. His problem was diagnosed Thursday as an inflamed elbow and he will miss tonight’s start against the Tigers. He’ll be replaced by right-hander Russ Springer.

“It could run the gamut from one missed start to the disabled list,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “If he’s out for a while, Springer would have to step up, because he’s the only one in the bullpen capable of starting. If he doesn’t, we would have to make some kind of move.”

Davis, meanwhile, gave the Angels reason for optimism when he jogged briskly and completed his daily therapy Thursday with no discomfort. “It’s a very positive step forward,” trainer Ned Bergert said. “But there’s still no timetable. We’ll see how he’s doing [today] when we increase his workload.”

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When the Angels selected Nebraska outfielder Darin Erstad with the No. 1 pick in the June 1 draft they were confident they’d sign him within a week or two. Six weeks later, Erstad remains at his North Dakota home, unsigned and frustrated by prolonged negotiations.

“It’s not going as smoothly as I’d like, but we’re making progress,” Erstad said. “I think we’re getting close.”

Adviser Jeff Moorad, who is seeking a signing bonus in the $1.6-million range, and the Angels have exchanged several offers and counter-offers in the past two weeks.

Erstad considered returning to the Cape Cod Summer League, “but the Angels told me to hold off because they think we can get this done,” Erstad said. “Hopefully that’s a good sign.”

Said Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi: “We will sign him.”

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Reliever John Habyan, who joined the Angels Thursday after being acquired in a trade with St. Louis last week, knew something was up when several St. Louis reporters approached him Saturday.

“It was the first time in a year and a half reporters had talked to me,” Habyan said. “That’s how you know a middle reliever is getting traded.”

Not that Habyan was disappointed. The Cardinals were in last place in the National League Central entering the All-Star break; the Angels were in first in the AL West.

“It’s great to gain so many games in the standings,” said Habyan, who has been on five teams in 10 years. “I’ve never gone from worst to first.”

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Dorsey High School graduates Marcel Lachemann, Florida Manager Rene Lachemann, and Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson were affiliated with the Crenshaw American Legion Post 715 team that won the 1951 national championship, Anderson as a player and the Lachemanns as batboys.

“They were two little fat kids at the time,” Anderson recalled. “They were both kind of chubby.”

Strangest sight of the evening: Tiger beat writers John Lowe (Detroit Free Press) and Tom Gage (Detroit News) packing up and walking out of the press box as Thursday night’s game started. Both newspapers went on strike Thursday at 8 p.m. (EDT).

Second baseman Damion Easley is still experiencing irritation in his right wrist, which he sprained June 3, and did not start Thursday night. . . . The Tigers have flip-flopped two pitchers in their rotation for the Angel series, starting rookie Felipe Lira tonight and David Wells Saturday.