Weaver poised to seize his opening with Angels

PEORIA, Ariz. – It was never Jered Weaver’s goal to start the March 31 season opener for the Angels.

After missing spring training and opening the 2007 season on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder, Weaver’s top priority this spring was to simply be ready for the season opener.

The right-hander took another significant step toward that goal – and remained in line to start in Minnesota on March 31 – by allowing one run and one hit in four innings of Tuesday’s 8-4 exhibition victory over the San Diego Padres.

“I’m starting off the season healthy, this is all new to me,” said Weaver, who gave up a solo home run to Jody Gerut in the first inning but improved to 3-0 this spring. “It’s exciting.”

Manager Mike Scioscia has not announced his opening-day starter and probably won’t until the Angels determine when ace John Lackey, who has been slowed this spring by a sore elbow, will be ready.

If Lackey is pushed back to the home opener against Texas on April 4, there is a good chance Weaver would start the season opener against the Twins.

“We have a number of options, a number of guys we can slot in there,” Scioscia said. “Weaver is certainly one of them.”

There is no doubt who will start on opening day for the Padres – Jake Peavy, the unanimous choice for the National League Cy Young Award in 2007.

But Peavy was roughed up for four runs in the first inning Tuesday, with Erick Aybar (triple), Kendry Morales (single), Jeff Mathis (double) and Nathan Haynes (single) knocking in runs for the Angels.

Outfield prospect Peter Bourjos added a three-run homer in the ninth for the Angels.

Two relievers in the hunt for the final bullpen spot, Jason Bulger and Rich Thompson, pitched well for the Angels, Bulger retiring the side in order in the fifth and Thompson allowing one hit in two scoreless innings.

But a third reliever didn’t fare as well. Kasey Olenberger gave up a three-run home run to Colt Morton in the eighth inning.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com