Belcher Surgery Is Another Setback for Angels

Angel right-hander Tim Belcher had surgery to repair a muscle tear in his right forearm Thursday at UCI Medical Center.

Dr. Lewis Yocum, who performed the surgery, said it would be four months before Belcher, 38, pitched competitively. On that timetable, Belcher would miss most or all of spring training.

Belcher, who was 6-8 with a 6.73 earned-run average in his first season with the Angels, could begin rehabilitation exercises in about two weeks.