Angels ace Weaver ready for next step in rehab
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver is scheduled to start an extended spring training game Wednesday as he recovers from a fracture of his nonpitching arm.
If he does not suffer any setbacks in the outing, Weaver will get at least two more rehab assignments before joining the struggling Angels rotations. The plan is for Weaver to return in early June.
"He needs work to get stretched out," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Weave needs to get to 80 and then 100 pitches. Even though he might be executing pitches, there is a stamina element that a reliever might not need that a starter does need."
Weaver, who was injured against Texas while dodging a line drive April 7, threw a simulated game Friday. He did not report any problems in four-inning, 80-pitch effort.
"The command was a little bit off, but that's to be expected," Weaver said. "It was a better than I thought it was going to be, that's for sure. I think it went well. Everything felt good. That's the most important thing."
Weaver had another strong campaign in 2012. He went 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings. He has been an All-Star and finished in the top five of AL Cy Young voting the past three seasons.
"It was tough," catcher Hank Conger said. "Anytime your No. 1 guy goes down for that amount of time, it definitely hurts the team. To see get Weaver real close and other guys getting close to, it's something to look forward to."
The Angels, as of Monday night, were 17-27, 12 games behind American League West-leading Texas.
