Jered Weaver could rejoin Angels rotation next week

Jered Weaver could rejoin the Angels’ starting rotation next week, Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday.

Weaver is set to pitch in an extended spring game Wednesday in Arizona, with Joe Blanton scheduled to start Thursday for the Angels. That could line up Weaver to replace Blanton when that turn comes up again Tuesday, against the Dodgers.

Weaver, the Angels’ ace, has not pitched since April 7 because of a fractured left elbow. Blanton is 0-7 with a 6.62 earned-run average, the most losses and highest ERA of any starter in the American League. Blanton also has given up the most hits of any pitcher in the major leagues.

Blanton is in the first year of a two-year, $15-million contract. With Jerome Williams in the rotation, the Angels could try Blanton as a long reliever.

The Angels have targeted Weaver for five innings and 75 pitches in his extended spring appearance Wednesday.

“Where he lines up will be contingent with how he feels coming out of it,” Scioscia said.

If all goes well, Scioscia said, the Angels could let Weaver take his next step — six innings and 90 pitches — in a major league start.

The Angels activated reliever Sean Burnett and could be getting additional pitching reinforcements soon. Relievers Kevin Jepsen and Ryan Madson are set to report to triple-A Salt Lake this week for rehabilitation assignments. Jepsen is expected to rejoin the Angels after pitching for Salt Lake on Wednesday and Friday; Madson’s timetable is uncertain.

Also, starter Tommy Hanson has reported to the Angels’ Arizona complex to resume workouts. Hanson, who has not pitched since May 4 in the aftermath of the death of his stepbrother, would “most likely not” be ready to take his next scheduled turn Saturday, Scioscia said.

Trading places

Kendrys Morales made his first appearance in Anaheim since the Angels traded him to the Seattle Mariners in the off-season. Morales, who played the first six seasons of his career with the Angels, became expendable when the team signed Josh Hamilton.

Hamilton has six home runs and Morales has five. However, Morales is batting .270 overall and .378 with runners in scoring position, with Hamilton at .222 and .091.

The Angels traded Morales for Jason Vargas, whose 3.55 ERA is the lowest on the team among pitchers who have made at least five starts.

Safe and sound

Pitcher Garrett Richards said his family and friends are safe after the devastating tornadoes that hit Oklahoma on Monday. Richards lives in Edmond, Okla., about 30 minutes from Moore, the town that suffered a direct hit.

Richards said he has been “lucky enough” never to have to take cover in a tornado shelter.

“Generally, during storm season, there is going to be a tornado somewhere in Oklahoma,” he said.

“This time it just happened to be in the middle of a city.”

bill.shaikin@latimes.com