Angels’ Jered Weaver to miss start because of biceps tendinitis

An MRI test revealed Jered Weaver has tendinitis in his right biceps, and the Angels ace, as expected, will not pitch against the Detroit Tigers this weekend. The team said in a release that it will announce this weekend when Weaver will make his next start.

It appears that Weaver, who is 16-4 with a 2.86 earned-run average, was slowed by the tendinitis before he was struck on the right shoulder by a Dustin Ackley line drive Sunday in Seattle. He gave up 15 earned runs and 22 hits in 17 innings of his three starts before facing the Mariners.

While the Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Athletics in Oakland on Wednesday, Weaver returned to Southern California to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the team physician.

With Thursday’s off day, the Angels will start Ervin Santana, C.J. Wilson and Zack Greinke on regular rest against the Tigers and Dan Haren on Monday night against Oakland.

If Weaver is not ready to pitch when his spot comes up Tuesday night, right-handers Jerome Williams or Barry Enright, who was called up from triple-A Tuesday after going 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA in eight starts for Salt Lake, could start. Enright was acquired from Arizona in July.

Manager Mike Scioscia had hoped to maximize his use of Weaver in September by keeping him on regular rest despite three off days, but those plans have been scrapped.

“We want to make sure he’s able to maintain his delivery without adjusting for whatever reasons or stressing any other areas,” Scioscia said on Wednesday. “We’ll get some clarity soon.”

Despite Weaver’s struggles, the rotation as a whole has rebounded from an awful 18-game stretch, lasting Aug. 1-19, during which the starters combined for a 3-7 record and 6.49ERA.

In the last 15 games, 12 of which the Angels have won, the starters have combined to go 10-2 with a 3.19 ERA. The bullpen has allowed only one earned run in 23 2/3 innings during the last nine games.

“We’ve been pitching great baseball for three or four times around the rotation, and that’s important,” Scioscia said. “The bullpen also came up with some big outs in the [Oakland] series.”

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