The competition for the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation has turned into a real competition now due to a hamstring injury that has shelved the front-runner, right-hander Jerome Williams.
Williams strained his left hamstring during a defensive drill two weeks ago and has been unable to throw off a mound since. In the meantime, right-handers Garrett Richards, Trevor Bell and Eric Hurley, and left-hander Brad Mills have had their chances to make an impression during Cactus League play.
Richards, 23, the Angels' top-ranked pitching prospect, could be using the opportunity to pitch his way into the big-league role. He got a taste of the majors last August when he jumped from Double-A to a start at Yankee Stadium in his major league debut.
"At the time, it didn't even feel real to me," Richards said. "After going awhile after doing it, it kind of sets in that, 'Wow, that was kind of a big game.'"
Richards has been working with pitching coach Mike Butcher this spring on developing a "clean, consistent, repeatable delivery" that would lead to more consistency.
In the group vying for the last spot in the Angels' rotation, Richards is clearly the most talented with the greatest upside.
"There's no doubt out of all the guys we're talking about for our fifth spot, I think his arm is the one that really jumps out at you," manager Mike Scioscia said.
"But it takes more than that to get major league hitters out. Hopefully, Garrett has moved in that direction."
Because of scheduling, the Angels will not need to use a fifth starter for the first time in the regular season until April 15, ironically, for Richards, at Yankee Stadium.
That gives Williams additional time to heal and get back on a mound to stake his claim to the rotation spot.
NOTES, QUOTES
Santana hit by line drive, not expected to miss a start
--RHP Ervin Santana was hit in the right shoulder by a line drive during his start against the White Sox last week and suffered a contusion. Santana left the game immediately but he was not expected to miss a start.
--RHP Jason Isringhausen was expected to make his spring debut with the Angels on Friday. Isringhausen had been slowed by shoulder tightness since signing a minor league deal with the Angels early in camp. If Isringhausen does not make the Opening Day roster, he will be released rather than assigned to Triple-A.
--RHP Bobby Cassevah has also been slowed by shoulder tightness this spring and only recently began throwing off a mound in workouts. Cassevah's slow start this spring has opened the door for a spot in the Angels' bullpen, with RHPs Kevin Jepsen, Michael Kohn and Rich Thompson vying for that slot.
--INF Maicer Izturis appeared in only one game during the first two weeks of Cactus League play because of tightness in his hamstrings. Izturis has a history of injury issues, including hamstring troubles, but he did play in a career-high 122 games last season. "We want to take it slow with him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "With his history, we want to make sure he's feeling good before he goes out there and does some things."
--SS Erick Aybar's agent, Fern Cuza, has reportedly met with Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto recently to renew talks on a multi-year contract extension for Aybar. The two sides began negotiations during the offseason but were unable to reach agreement. Aybar instead signed a one-year, $5.075 million deal to avoid arbitration. He will be eligible for free agency next winter if there is no agreement on an extension.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1,043 -- Innings by the Angels starting pitchers in 2011, third in the majors behind Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't think it's going to be that foreign. We're not asking him to go ice skating." -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia, on Kendrys Morales' return to game action for the first time in 21 months.
