Adenhart is to stay in minors

The Angels promoted a pitcher from the minor leagues Wednesday, but not Nick Adenhart. For now -- and perhaps for the rest of the season -- the Angels plan to keep their top pitching prospect at triple-A Salt Lake.

“He’ll come here when he’s ready,” General Manager Tony Reagins said. “Right now, we don’t feel he’s ready. That’s the bottom line.”

The Angels added an arm to a tired bullpen by promoting reliever Alex Serrano from Salt Lake and optioning outfielder Reggie Willits to Salt Lake. Willits had one at-bat -- a two-run double -- in the first 15 games.

That move leaves Dustin Moseley in the starting rotation, although Moseley has a 7.80 earned-run average in three starts, with opponents batting .355 off him.

The Angels like Moseley best as a long reliever and spot starter, and Adenhart has a 1.59 ERA in three starts at Salt Lake. But he has walked nine and struck out nine in 17 innings, and Reagins said he has not displayed the consistency that would warrant a promotion.

Adenhart, 21, had not pitched at the triple-A level before this season.

“Hopefully, when he gets here -- at some point he will, and I’m not saying this season -- he’s here to stay,” Reagins said.

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Angels ace John Lackey appears on track to return in about three weeks, when he figures to displace Moseley from the rotation. Lackey said he felt “really good” after pitching a one-inning simulated game Wednesday, but said the more important test would be how he feels today.

“It felt good in spring training in the last bullpen I threw,” he said. “I couldn’t move my arm two days later.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said Lackey, recovering from a triceps strain, is scheduled for a two-inning simulated game Saturday, followed by three or four minor league rehabilitation starts. That timetable puts his tentative return in the second week of May.

Scioscia said Lackey could split those starts between Class A Rancho Cucamonga and extended spring training, with the latter option enabling the Angels to control his pitch count by declaring an inning over whenever they like.

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The Angels appear set in center field for the long term, with Torii Hunter signed through 2012 and Gary Matthews Jr. through 2011. They’re also five deep in the outfield this season, with Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera as well as Hunter and Matthews.

Where does that leave Willits?

“He’s an important part of our organization,” Reagins said. “He can play all three outfield positions. He can steal a base. He gives you a tough at-bat off the bench.”

Willits, 25, hit .293 in 430 at-bats last season, with 27 stolen bases. He led the team in unintentional walks, and his .391 on-base percentage ranked third behind Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins.

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Second baseman Howie Kendrick said his strained hamstring felt better, but he has not tried to run yet. . . . Serrano, 27, a right-hander from Venezuela, got his first major league call-up after 10 seasons in the minor leagues, the first eight in the Colorado Rockies organization.

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com