Escobar could miss rest of season

So much for that debate over whether Kelvim Escobar should return to the Angels rotation or bullpen.

After suffering a serious setback in his rehabilitation from a shoulder tear, it appears doubtful the 32-year-old right-hander will pitch at all for the Angels this season.

“I woke up [Tuesday] and it was like, wow, it’s painful,” said Escobar, who threw three innings for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday night. “It’s not the normal soreness you feel after you pitch. It’s pain. It’s hurt. And it’s in the same spot.”

Escobar, who went 18-7 with a 3.40 earned-run average in 30 starts last season, had trouble getting loose before his second rehab start but pitched well, giving up one hit, striking out four and hitting 94 mph with his fastball during his 39-pitch outing.

But he felt sore after the game and worse before he went to bed. Five months into a grueling rehab program, Escobar feels like he’s right back at square one. And, by the way he sounds, possibly done.

“This feels like it did in February, when it was really bad,” Escobar said. “I’m worried. This is driving me crazy, the up and down, up and down. I’ve worked so hard, and everything was going so well until [Monday] night’s game.”

Escobar, who in March opted for rehabilitation instead of surgery, was examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, team physician, during Tuesday night’s game and will probably undergo an MRI test today.

He may seek a second opinion from a New York orthopedist, and if he decides to undergo surgery, he would be sidelined until the All-Star break in 2009.

“I’ve done everything I can do to get better,” said Escobar, who is in the second year of a three-year, $28.5-million contract, “but I don’t know what’s next.”

Escobar was shut down after a similar setback in March and was so distraught he thought his career might be over. He resumed throwing in late April and appeared on the verge of returning before Monday night.

“I shouldn’t have pitched,” Escobar said. “It felt like I was pushing the ball and guarding my shoulder. That’s not good. With everything I’ve done to this point, I expected to be a lot better.”

Despite Escobar’s grim outlook, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia remained optimistic.

“Best-case scenario, it’s inflammation and a minor setback,” Scioscia said. “We’ll hold him back until we see exactly what the deal is.”

Second coming

Coming off a four-game stretch in which the Angels scored two runs, Scioscia shook up his lineup Tuesday, moving Casey Kotchman to the second spot and Maicer Izturis to the third spot.

“Kotch can work counts, get on base, and Izzy gives us a better situational look,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully it will spark something.”

Kotchman has hit in six different spots this season: second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth.

“Hopefully it works and helps get us going,” Kotchman said before the game.

“The objective is still the same no matter where you’re hitting. Try to get a hit, a walk, get on base, something.”

Sticker shock

If Francisco Rodriguez’s second half is as good as his first (33 saves, 1.98 ERA) the closer could command a deal for up to $15 million a year, for four or five years, as a free agent next winter.

But if the cost of re-signing Rodriguez goes up, Angels owner Arte Moreno is not about to complain.

“You always want people to be healthy and successful,” Moreno said, “especially when they’re playing for us.”

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com