ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels right-hander Jered Weaver threw an encouraging bullpen session Tuesday at Anaheim Stadium, but he’ll have to temper his enthusiasm about returning early from a broken bone in his left elbow.
The Angels want their pitching ace to throw an 80-pitch bullpen session Friday and at least a couple of rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues before activating him from the disabled list. Weaver prefers to avoid that last step.
“I’d like to throw the 80-pitch session, then get in a game here if I had it my way,” he said.
That won’t happen, although Weaver said he’ll ask anyway. Manager Mike Scioscia indicated it will take two, and possibly three, minor league games before Weaver’s arm is ready for a big-league game. That would probably put him on schedule to return by the end of the month, which was the initial prognosis.
“The challenge with Weave is to first establish the fact he’s throwing all his pitches and rebounding fine, then eventually get him stretched out enough for a major league game,” Scioscia said. “I don’t know how many it’s going to take, but it’s definitely going to be a minimum of two minor league appearances just to see where he is.”
Weaver hasn’t pitched in a game since April 7 when he fell off the mound in Texas trying to avoid a line drive in his second start. He went on the disabled list two days later.
Tuesday’s session was his third time throwing off a mound during his recovery, and he said he was able to throw all his pitches for the first time. His left arm is no longer an issue; he’s trying to get his throwing arm in shape so he can return to the rotation.
“I just know he’s smiling, and that’s a good sign,” Scioscia said. “He’s gotten over another hurdle. The way he threw the ball this afternoon is reminiscent of what you’d expect Weave to have, and that’s encouraging.”
