Kendrick gets some good news

After being sidelined for more than a month because of a small fracture in his left index finger, Howie Kendrick finally got the news he was waiting for Friday.

“I’m good to go,” the Angels second baseman said, after X-rays showed the finger has healed enough for him to resume full baseball activities. “I was feeling good, so I had an idea it was starting to heal. This was just confirmation I’m OK, which is good, because I’m ready to play.”

Kendrick, who has been fielding ground balls for a week, took batting practice for the first time Friday and “felt good.” He will probably work out with the Angels through the weekend before starting a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week.

Barring a setback, Kendrick, who sat out six weeks from mid-April to late May because of a broken bone on the back of his left hand, could be activated for the Angels’ next homestand, beginning Aug. 20 against the New York Yankees.

His goal is to have more of an immediate impact than he did in May, when he came off the DL and was five for 40 in his first 11 games, his average falling from .321 to .236.

“I want to be more patient, fit back into the groove of the team, move guys over and drive in runs,” Kendrick said. “ … The last time I came back, I lost my timing, adjusted my stance and was getting too tall [in the box]. I went through a mental slump. But I worked my way out of it.”

Bartolo Colon took the first significant step in what the Angels hope will be a successful return from an elbow irritation, throwing 15 pitches, all fastballs, in the bullpen Friday.

“The ball came out of his hand good; he finished his pitches well,” said Mike Butcher, the Angels’ pitching coach. “He’s looking to get comfortable, to get used to the slope, to build up his endurance. I feel like he’s going to be back this year. It just depends on how he gets through all the hoops he has to jump through.”

Butcher said Colon, who had a 6-6 record and 6.72 earned run average when he was put on the DL on July 24, would need at least three or four bullpen workouts before being considered for a rehab assignment. It’s possible the right-hander could return by late August.

News that St. Louis Cardinals utility player Scott Spiezio left the team Thursday, reportedly to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, was “a shocker” to Angels Manager Mike Scioscia. Spiezio was the popular first baseman on the Angels’ 2002 World Series championship team.

“We never had any indication anything like that was going on when he was here,” Scioscia said. “You’re always surprised when someone you’ve been around has issues like that. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. One thing about Scott -- when he puts his mind to something, he can overcome it. I’m hoping he’s able to bounce back.”

Though the Angels have an off day Monday and could skip Dustin Moseley’s start, Scioscia said he would not tinker with this turn through the rotation. Joe Saunders, Moseley and Kelvim Escobar will pitch in Toronto Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Scioscia and Butcher “are looking at options” for Friday’s day-night doubleheader in Boston. John Lackey will start one of the games, and Jered Weaver would be available that day on regular rest. Long reliever Chris Bootcheck could also start.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com