Angels update: Don’t expect any rotation reinforcements
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PHOENIX -- For fans thinking Ervin Santana’s elbow injury might rekindle trade talks with the San Diego Padres about ace Jake Peavy or a pursuit of a free agent such as Pedro Martinez or Paul Byrd, don’t get your hopes up.
Manager Mike Scioscia said this morning there were no plans to pursue outside pitching help in the wake of Santana’s setback. Santana, the Angels’ No. 2 starter, was diagnosed Sunday with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his throwing elbow and will start the season on the disabled list, but the team expects him back sometime in April.
‘We do not need to look outside for help unless some things become unmanageable, not just with Ervin but with any starter,’ Scioscia said. ‘We feel we have the depth right now with some young kids throwing the ball well, with Kelvim Escobar on the horizon. You never have a crystal ball, but I see depth emerging in our rotation as we hoped it would going through spring training.’
Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux and Nick Adenhart, who were battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, are now competing for the fourth and fifth spots. Top pitching prospect Anthony Ortega, slowed this spring by a sore forearm, is expected to pitch in a Cactus League game within 10 days and could join the competition for rotation spots.
Meanwhile, the Angels will play the American League West rival Oakland Athletics today in Phoenix, with left-hander Joe Saunders opposing Oakland left-hander Dallas Braden.
The big news in the A’s camp is that veteran third baseman Eric Chavez has been shut down because of soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Bobby Crosby, who was displaced at shortstop by the signing of veteran Orlando Cabrera, will make his first spring start at third base.
The Angels lineup:
Chone Figgins, DH
Erick Aybar, SS
Jeff Mathis, C
Kendry Morales, 1B
Robb Quinlan, LF
Brandon Wood, 3B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Terry Evans, RF
Chris Pettit, CF
Joe Saunders, P
--Mike DiGiovanna