Angel Report

Tim Belcher called his third rehabilitation start for Class-A Lake Elsinore on Sunday night “promising” and believes he’s ready to rejoin Anaheim as soon as Friday.

After striking out the first four Rancho Cucamonga batters he faced, the 38-year-old right-hander gave up five earned runs and five hits over the next five innings, culminating in a monster two-run, two-out home run over the right-field fence to tie the score, at 5-5. Belcher, who was limited to 86 pitches Sunday while he continues to recover from December surgery for a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow, struck out eight and walked only one in six innings of work.

“I’d take what I had tonight into a big league game,” said Belcher, who expects to be made available to the Angels by the Sept. 1 call-up date. “I located my pitches well. I feel like I’m ready. The only pitch I’d like to have back was the home run. But I think that’s my only glaring mistake.”

In two earlier starts for the Storm this season, Belcher had given up only one hit and struck out eight in eight innings.

“I think I’m closer now than at any point in my rehab starts,” Belcher said. “I’m pleased with this outing. And I feel like I’m already where I need to be mentally.”