ANAHEIM, Calif. – Angels pitcher Jered Weaver received another positive result after throwing in a simulated game Friday at Angel Stadium and could be back in the starting rotation next week.
Weaver threw a pregame bullpen session, then tossed another 60 pitches over four innings to hitters in the afternoon. He's been on the disabled list since suffering a lower back strain May 28 against the New York Yankees.
"Let's see how it feels tomorrow," Weaver said. "I'll sit down with the training staff and see when they want to throw me out there."
That's a decision manager Mike Scioscia prefers to wait on making. Weaver can be activated any time, but Scioscia said he wants to wait until Weaver throws once more in the bullpen this weekend.
"There's a lot of options we have, but it's not really going to serve a purpose for us to do this or that right now," Scioscia said. "We're going to see how he comes out of his Sunday bullpen and make a determination of where he slots in, if he's ready to pitch in a game."
Weaver, who is 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA, said he's hopeful it's sooner rather than later.
"I'd like to pitch as soon as possible," he said. "The last 15 days have been strenuous. But the training staff has done a great job staying with me through the treatment."
Meanwhile, backup catcher Bobby Wilson will play in weekend games at Triple-A Salt Lake as he attempts to return from the seven-day concussion DL. Wilson was hit in the facemask by a foul ball June 4 against the Seattle Mariners.
Scioscia said Wilson has been feeling better, but the team wants to be cautious about his return.
"Bobby needs to get out there and catch a little deeper in games and show that he's feeling no effects from the concussion," Scioscia said.
