Washburn Wants Opening-Day Start

Kevin Appier has 147 victories, Aaron Sele is a two-time All-Star and Jarrod Washburn is beginning only his third full season in the major leagues. But Washburn is expected to start opening day against the Cleveland Indians at Edison Field, continuing his ascent to the front of a pitching rotation with high expectations.

“We’re going to make a decision, as we move forward this weekend, to line some things up,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday after Washburn worked six solid innings and got a no-decision in a 7-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Diablo Stadium. “It’s not going to be a secret.”

Washburn (1-1 with a 5.68 earned-run average) is toeing the company line because the Angels have not named their No. 1 starter, though bright signs are flashing the left-hander’s name.

“I’d be proud to be able to some day tell my kid I started on opening day,” he said. “I know my dad would be excited, and my family and friends back home [in Wisconsin] would be really excited, especially with the staff we’ve got.

“But we’ve got five guys who are capable of going on opening day. If I was chosen it would be an honor to represent the five guys, but as long as I’m one of the five guys [in the rotation], I’m not going to complain at all.”

Washburn, whose turn in the exhibition rotation puts him on track to face the Indians in the March 31 opener, had a 92-pitch outing against the Rockies. He gave up five hits, three runs and struck out five with two walks in his fifth start.

“He threw 18 of 25 first-pitch strikes,” pitching coach Bud Black said. “He’s right where he needs to be.”

Washburn, 27, also was on target last spring until strep throat put him on the disabled list to start the season, derailing his bid for the opening assignment.

He recovered well, finishing 11-10 with a 3.77 earned-run average, including an eight-game winning streak.

“Wash is a guy that’s shown he has the ability to be a No.-1 type guy, as far as the way you would evaluate your staff,” Scioscia said. “He has the makeup, he has the stuff and he really gets after it out on the mound.”

Third baseman Troy Glaus returned with a bang, hitting a three-run home run against Colorado starter Denny Neagle in the sixth. Glaus, who has four homers, sat out five games because of a strained abdominal muscle.

“He looked good,” Scioscia said. “His first couple of at-bats, I thought he was over-swinging a little bit. Maybe he was trying to make up for some lost time, but he settled into a good rhythm and took some real good cuts.

“A couple plays in the field, he made nice plays. He’ll be ready. We’ll break him in a little slower, but he’ll be fine.”

The Angels (12-11-1) have nine exhibition games left, but Scioscia would be comfortable opening the season today.

“If we had to start [today], I’d feel good about where we are,” he said.