Lackey feels ‘fine’ in first rehab start

One hundred and eighty-three games into his major league career, John Lackey made his first minor league rehabilitation assignment appearance Thursday night.

He’ll have to wait only five days for a second.

In the first of what is expected to be three rehab outings for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga while recovering from a strained right triceps, the Angels ace allowed three hits and one run in two innings during the Quakes’ California League game against the Bakersfield Blaze at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

Lackey recorded five of his six outs by strikeout and did not issue a walk while throwing 40 pitches. He gave up a home run to John Whittleman leading off the second inning on a three-and-one fastball down the middle of the plate.

“I thought my stuff was fine but still not ready to go back [to the major leagues],” Lackey said.

Lackey threw his entire array of pitches and said he was encouraged that his arm felt fine while throwing changeups, a pitch that had proved bothersome when he suffered the injury last month.

The right-hander had to wear No. 39 because his customary No. 41 was taken by the Quakes’ Alberto Rosario, a 6-foot, 165-pound catcher.

“I don’t know if the jersey would have fit because he’s a lot smaller than I am,” the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Lackey said. “But I don’t care. My 41’s waiting.”