ANGELS REPORT

Kent Mercker retired all 12 batters he faced in a Class-A rehabilitation appearance for Lake Elsinore Friday night, striking out three and requiring only 52 pitches in his four innings at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

Making his first appearance since suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on the Edison Field mound May 11, the Angel left-hander displayed sharp command while going to a three-ball count on only one batter.

“It felt good just to be out on the mound again,” Mercker said. “It’s been tough to sit and watch the guys play. This was fun.”

Mercker said he expected at least one more appearance with the Storm, but recognized the urgency for him to rejoin the Angels based on injuries to relievers Al Levine and Troy Percival and starter Seth Etherton, and the trade of Kent Bottenfield.