Washburn Makes Encouraging Return

Jarrod Washburn returned to the mound Sunday and delivered a brief yet encouraging performance despite lingering pain in his left shoulder.

The Angel ace threw 28 pitches in 1 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics, displaying good command in his second spring start and first since March 1.

“It felt good,” said Washburn, who was injured March 3 while covering first base during a fielding drill. “I obviously wasn’t real sharp, but there was minimal pain.”

Washburn, hoping to join the rotation by the first week of the season, said the pain in his shoulder has gradually decreased, but trainers have told him the discomfort could remain for up to two months.

“It’s just a matter of being able to pitch through the pain,” Washburn said. “It’s not something that is serious or could cause serious injury, unless I start changing my mechanics because of that pain.”

Washburn, who gave up three hits, would have faced one more batter if the split-squad game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium hadn’t been canceled in the third inning because of rain with the Angels leading, 1-0.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Washburn may throw 45 to 50 pitches during his next appearance, tentatively scheduled for Thursday in minor league camp.

Washburn was scheduled to start the split-squad game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Maryvale on Sunday, but it was called before it started.

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Right-hander Aaron Sele, expected to miss the first month of the season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, will likely remain in Arizona for extended spring training when the team departs for Southern California March 27, Scioscia said.

Another option would be for Sele to remain with the team and make rehabilitation starts for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, which opens its season the next week.

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Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis could pitch again in a couple of days after being held out recently because of a nagging hamstring injury.

“We can’t go out there tomorrow and give him 75 pitches or 60 pitches,” Scioscia said. “But there’s still time to get him stretched out where he could be considered a starter for us.”

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Tim Salmon, who homered to left field to account for the Angels’ run against Oakland, will be one of the few regulars to travel to Tucson today for a game against the Chicago White Sox.