Angels' rotation will get crowded when Weaver returns from DL
Jered Weaver is close to returning to the mound for the Los Angeles Angels.
The 32-year-old right hander threw a simulated game Saturday and will throw another one Tuesday, manager Mike Scioscia said prior to Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox.
"If he can show us what we are looking for in the simulated game like last time, he's ready for a game," Scioscia said. "If he's healthy and needs to refine some stuff and needs a rehab game, we would consider it."
Weaver hasn't pitched in an actual game since June 20. But if Weaver's hip responds well after throwing next week, there's a chance he'll be back in the rotation at the end of the weekend series against the Texas Rangers.
The Angels suddenly have a rotation with a good amount of depth -- Weaver, Heaney, first-time All Star Hector Santiago, Garrett Richards, C.J. Wilson and Matt Shoemaker. As a result, though, tough decisions will have to be made in regards to who stays and who goes.
#Angels pitcher @HecSantiago53 uses All-Star week to be '100 percent fan', writes @BearHeiser. http://t.co/eDygTci4yw pic.twitter.com/PDj0S2vcLO
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Weaver's trip to the disabled list opened the door for rookie left hander Andrew Heaney to sieze a spot in the rotation. Heaney sports a 3-0 record with a 1.32 ERA in four starts since joining the rotation June 24.
If recent history tells us anything, the bearded right hander (Shoe) is the likeliest of candidates to get bounced from the starting five. Shoemaker has been up and down all season long, finishing the first half with an of 4.85 ERA and a 4-7 record.
"We still have some time and we certainly have to see how Weave progresses through these workouts," Scioscia said.
When Weaver went on the DL, he was the ace of the staff. Now, the Angels don't really need him to be the ace. The strength of the Angels' staff is balance.
