Escobar looks strong in minor league game

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Kelvim Escobar‘s fastball hit 96 mph in a triple-A game against the Chicago Cubs today, another indication that the veteran right-hander is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery.

Escobar, in his first game action since last June, faced seven batters, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking one. He threw 34 pitches, 18 for strikes, and his fastball was consistently clocked at 94 to 96 mph.

‘Oh man, I feel good,’ Escobar said. ‘I know the ball was coming out of my hand good.... I knew I had good velocity. I could feel it in the bullpen, my pitches had that ‘vzzzzztttt’ on them. But I never thought I’d be throwing 96.’

Escobar, who missed all of 2008 after going 18-7 with a 3.40 earned-run average in 2007, said he will be put on a regular five-day schedule, and he hopes to increase his workload in 15-pitch increments. Barring setbacks, he could return to the Angels’ rotation by the end of April.

Angels closer Brian Fuentes also pitched in a triple-A game, allowing two runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and hitting a batter. The left-hander threw 30 pitches, 20 for strikes, and his fastball hit 88 to 89 mph.

-- Mike DiGiovanna