Starting Is Unlikely for Schoeneweis

Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis said Monday he no longer considered himself a candidate for the Angels’ fifth starting spot because of his nagging hamstring injury, which has diminished his playing time. He has pitched only 6 2/3 innings this spring.

“At this point I’m saying I’m out,” said Schoeneweis, who does not consider the injury serious. “This only solidifies me being in the pen.”

While conceding that Schoeneweis’ chances of making the rotation were slim, Manager Mike Scioscia said he wasn’t ready to send the converted starter back to the bullpen, where he spent the latter half of last season.

“The thing about Schoeny is, he has the type of arm that can be built up fairly quickly,” Scioscia said. “He has a very durable arm and he’s pitch-efficient. So building him up to 75 pitches is maybe enough for him to be considered.”

Schoeneweis, who has a 17.55 earned-run average this spring, is expected to make his next appearance in a couple of days.

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The Angels are still hoping that ace Jarrod Washburn can make his opening-day start as scheduled. They’re also making arrangements in case they need to shuffle their rotation if the left-hander can’t build up his arm strength and stamina in time after being sidelined earlier this month by a shoulder injury.

The team is making sure right-hander Mickey Callaway, the leading candidate to replace Aaron Sele as the fifth starter while Sele recovers from off-season shoulder surgery, pitches enough innings before the team breaks camp. Callaway was scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Monday at the Angels’ minor league camp.

“Obviously, we’re going to come up with plans B, C and D,” Scioscia said. “We’re going to alter some things slightly here just to give us options as we move forward so it’s not contingent on one thing. If Wash isn’t ready and one of these other guys has a setback, we have to be ready for the start of the season. We want to have some depth there.”

Washburn is scheduled to pitch Thursday in minor league camp.

“I’m hoping Wash is ready [opening day]. That’s best for our team.” said right-hander John Lackey, a contender to replace Washburn if he is unable to pitch the opener against Texas. “If it comes down to me being the guy, I’ll take the ball and take the challenge and go with it.”

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Brian Daubach’s towering solo home run to right field off Francisco Rodriguez lifted the Chicago White Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Angels at Tucson Electric Park.

Lackey was uncharacteristically wild over four-plus innings, allowing three walks and three runs while striking out four. Reliever Bart Miadich walked in one of those runs with the bases loaded.

Keith Johnson doubled and drove in two runs for the Angels.