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Escobar Is Willing to Provide Relief

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Times Staff Writer

The answer to the Angels’ bullpen woes could lie in the team’s rotation. Kelvim Escobar, who took another step toward returning from elbow surgery Friday with a “very aggressive” 17-minute bullpen workout, said he would be open to returning in a relief role.

“Whatever they want me to do, whatever is the best option for the team, I will do,” said Escobar, who was the Angels’ most effective starter in 2004 but has considerable experience as a short reliever. “I know the situation, and we want to make a run for the playoffs.”

The addition of Escobar to the bullpen would help ease the heavy burden on closer Francisco Rodriguez and setup men Scot Shields and Brendan Donnelly and give the Angels an attractive short-relief option if any of the three is struggling.

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Shields and Donnelly had a rough time in Oakland this week, giving up seven earned runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings Wednesday and Thursday, suffering two blown saves and two losses. The bullpen entered Friday having given up 11 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over the previous four games.

Escobar signed with the Angels before 2004 because they promised him he’d be a starter, but with an extensive repertoire headed by a 95-mph fastball, and with rookie Ervin Santana pitching well in Escobar’s place, Escobar could have more of an impact in September in a relief role.

The right-hander, who had surgery to shave down a bone spur in June, also said he could return sooner as a reliever than as a starter, which would require three or four minor league rehabilitation games to build his stamina to the 100-pitch range.

Escobar, limited by arm problems to seven starts this season, stressed that his willingness to pitch in relief was “for now,” not next year.

“For me, I’ve done it before,” said Escobar, who went 5-7 with a 4.28 earned-run average and 38 saves for Toronto in 2002.

Escobar will throw batting practice early next week and a simulated game or two late next week. He will probably start a rehab assignment at triple-A Salt Lake around Aug. 22.

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Pitching coach Bud Black said the Angels haven’t discussed Escobar’s role. “We’ve got to see if he’s healthy first, how he’s pitching, and from that point we’ll be able to make a more prudent decision,” Black said.

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Reserve catcher Josh Paul was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right thumb, and the Angels called up catcher Jeff Mathis from Salt Lake. To make room for Friday night’s starter Jarrod Washburn, the team optioned Chris Bootcheck to Salt Lake. ... The Angels released veteran reliever Pedro Borbon Jr., who had a 6.75 ERA in eight games at Salt Lake.

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