Escobar takes step toward return

OAKLAND -- Kelvim Escobar took a significant step in his return from a shoulder tear, throwing off a mound Friday for the first time since last season, a three-minute session in which he threw fastballs and curves at 70-80% effort.

“I feel strong, I feel free and easy, the ball was coming out of my hand good with good life,” Escobar said. “This is a big deal. It makes me happy. I feel like I’m making a lot of progress, a lot quicker than I thought.”

Escobar, who went 18-7 with a 3.40 earned-run average last season, hopes to return shortly after the All-Star break. The right-hander’s prognosis looked bleak in March, when he aborted his throwing program after only three sessions at 45 feet because of shoulder pain.

“It’s been remarkable since he had his setback in spring training how everything has progressed and where he is now,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s gotten stronger every time he throws.”

Oh, what a relief it is

Though he was one of the Angels’ top starters in 2007, Escobar has resigned himself to returning as a reliever this season, not necessarily a bad thing for the Angels or Escobar.

A former Toronto Blue Jays closer, Escobar returned from elbow surgery in 2005 and went 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in nine relief appearances in September, giving the bullpen a much-needed boost and helping the Angels win the American League West and division series.

“I don’t think I’ll be a starter this year,” Escobar said. “They want to take it easy on my arm, get my strength back. Our starters are looking so good right now. . . . I think I’ll be coming to the bullpen. I’ll do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Escobar stressed that such a move would be temporary. “I want to start next year,” he said.

Passing grades

An MRI test on Vladimir Guerrero’s hyper-extended right knee and X-rays on setup man Scot Shields’ injured left rib cage revealed no new findings, and both players rejoined the team Friday.

Guerrero started at designated hitter and probably won’t return to right field for several games. Shields played catch before the game but won’t be available until tonight, at the earliest.

“I felt a lot better [Thursday and Friday],” said Shields, who hasn’t pitched since Sunday.

On the run

Chone Figgins, on the disabled list because of a right hamstring strain, ran the bases aggressively Friday, going from first to third and first to home, and felt no pain or discomfort. Figgins felt sore after a similar workout Tuesday.

Figgins feels he’s ready to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment, but Scioscia said the leadoff batter “is going to have to repeat those workouts before playing in a game. Today was a great first step.” Figgins will probably play three or four games for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga next week.

Draft Day Two

USC outfielder Roberto Lopez (25th round), Loyola Marymount pitcher Mike Kenny (28th) and Cal State Fullerton first baseman Jared Clark (45th) were among the players the Angels selected Friday in the second and final day of the amateur draft.

Other local players selected were Arizona State pitcher Reyes Dorado (14th), who prepped at Fontana A.B. Miller High, and Capistrano Valley High pitcher Kyle Hendricks (39th). The Angels also picked pitcher Kyle Hurst, son of former major league pitcher Bruce Hurst, in the 36th round.

--

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com