Jered Weaver appears to be set for opening-day start, but job isn’t his just yet

Reporting from Mesa, Ariz. — 

Jered Weaver has not officially been named the opening-day starter, but the right-hander looked worthy of the assignment Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing one hit with nine strikeouts and no walks in the Angels’ 11-0 exhibition victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Weaver has been in line to start the opener since Cactus League play began in early March, but Manager Mike Scioscia still wouldn’t commit to Weaver for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium.

“Obviously, Weav is a guy we targeted,” Scioscia said. “If he comes out of this start like we hope, he should be ready.”

Weaver allowed only a single by Xavier Nady in the second inning and needed 60 pitches to breeze through five innings.

“I really concentrated on location today — I threw every pitch where I wanted to,” Weaver said. “It was very promising.”

Weaver was especially pleased with his slider, which he “threw down in the strike zone when I needed to,” he said. “I’d been spiking a lot of those pitches in the dirt.”

Weaver also batted twice against Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano. Actually, he came to the plate twice with orders from Scioscia to not swing. And what is the fine if a pitcher swings this spring?

“These guys don’t want to find out,” Scioscia said. “In May, they can swing [in interleague games]. I want to get them through the spring.”

Weaver took three strikes in the second inning but worked a full count — impressing hitting coach Mickey Hatcher with his plate discipline — before striking out in the fourth and laughing at plate umpire John Tumpane before heading to the dugout.

“I told him, ‘Thank you,’ ” Weaver said. “I didn’t want to run the bases.”

Willits headed for DL

Reserve outfielder Reggie Willits, slowed by a right hamstring strain, probably will start the season on the disabled list, which would greatly enhance Terry Evans’ chances of making the team.

Outfielders Michael Ryan and Cory Aldridge have had good springs, but Evans’ ability to play center field gives him an advantage over those two, who play the corner outfield spots.

Evans helped his cause Wednesday with five hits against the Cubs — a two-run homer, a double and three singles.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com