LOS ANGELES – Sean Burnett’s return from the disabled list last week was a short one. After making two appearances, the Angels put the left-handed reliever back on the DL Tuesday with what was described as “left elbow impingement.”
To replace Burnett on the roster, the Angels activated starter Tommy Hanson, who has been on the restricted list since May 10. Hanson is expected to return to the rotation at some point this weekend.
Burnett, who underwent surgery last October to remove bone spurs from his elbow, was sidelined for most of May because of left forearm irritation. He came off the DL on May 22 and pitched in two games, but in his second appearance, last Sunday at Kansas City, he left after one-third of an inning.
He had an X-ray on Tuesday, and it was decided he needed time to rest his elbow and should not throw again for five to seven days.
“It’s a completely different spot from the other injury,” Burnett said. “This is disappointing and frustrating, but I was told it’s very common from the surgery I had.”
Hanson’s last start was May 4 against Baltimore. He has been on the restrict list since May 10 following the death of his 24-year-old stepbrother but threw 75 pitches in a simulated game last Saturday in Arizona.
Manager Mike Scioscia was noncommittal about when Hanson (2-1, 3.85 ERA) would start, but it might depend on Joe Blanton’s performance Tuesday night against the Dodgers. Blanton had lost seven consecutive decisions before picking up his first victory of the season last Thursday at Kansas City.
“He’s going to throw a bullpen,” Scioscia said of Hanson. “He felt good coming out of his last start (in Arizona). We’ll see where he folds in over the weekend sometime.”
