Washburn Hopes to Be Back in About 2 Weeks

The Angels haven’t pinpointed a date for Jarrod Washburn’s return from the disabled list, but the Angel left-hander, sidelined since July 21 because of a strained ligament in his left rib cage, finally has a timetable for a comeback, even if it is written in pencil.

Washburn aired out his fastball for five minutes in the bullpen Tuesday, the start of a regimen in which he is scheduled to throw off a mound every other day for about a week.

Washburn will throw again today, and he hopes to throw to hitters Saturday and Monday, either during batting practice or in simulated games. He would then begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment later next week. With luck, he could be back by the first week of September.

“Now, it’s a matter of rebuilding strength and stamina and hoping for no setbacks,” said Washburn, who is 10-5 with a 4.83 earned-run average. “Hopefully I’ll be back sooner rather than later. This has been extremely frustrating. I can’t wait to get back on the mound and play in a game that matters.”

Washburn was encouraged by Tuesday’s workout because he was able to throw his fastball without inhibitions, even if his command was off.

“There are no barriers,” he said. “If it blows, it blows, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve been doing exercises to keep the area strong, and I went all out [Tuesday]. I wouldn’t advise my hitters standing in the box against me, but I did throw hard.”

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With Robb Quinlan out for at least a month because of a torn left oblique and the Angels still hesitant to call up power-hitting third base prospect Dallas McPherson from triple-A Salt Lake City, General Manager Bill Stoneman has stepped up his efforts to trade for a hitter, preferably a third baseman, before the Aug. 31 deadline.

“I know Bill is looking at a lot of things,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’re concerned about maintaining our offense without a guy who has given us a huge spark. That could come from Jeff DaVanon or Tim Salmon. We need a deeper lineup.”

As in May, when the Angels made several trade inquiries after third baseman Troy Glaus underwent shoulder surgery, Stoneman probably won’t have many options.

Among the candidates who have cleared waivers or are expected to clear waivers are Arizona’s Shea Hillenbrand (.301, 12 home runs, 58 runs batted in), Seattle’s Jolbert Cabrera (.274, three homers, 29 RBIs), and Kansas City’s Joe Randa (.275, four homers and 35 RBIs).

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Kelvim Escobar, hampered by a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand during Tuesday night’s 8-3 loss to the Devil Rays, is confident he will make his next start Sunday against the New York Yankees.

“It’s a lot better,” Escobar said Wednesday. “I can tell because it’s not very, very sore, like I thought it would be.... I don’t want to miss a start because of this, not when I’m feeling so good. I want to finish up strong and healthy and help the team make the playoffs. I would be disappointed if a little thing like this takes me out of a game.”