Bus Trip Too Much for Colon’s Back

It wasn’t the double he laced to left-center field or running the bases that caused the lower-back spasms that forced ace Bartolo Colon out of Wednesday’s exhibition start against Colorado after two innings and 31 pitches. It was the two-hour bus ride from Tempe, Ariz., to Tucson.

“I got a little stiff on the trip over here and felt a little stiff throwing in the bullpen,” said Colon, who was scheduled to throw 60 to 65 pitches Wednesday. “I’m not worried about it. This is something I’ve had before. I just came out as a precaution.”

Manager Mike Scioscia called the muscle spasms in Colon’s right lower back “relatively minor” and said the right-hander would not sit out his next turn in the rotation Monday. With the Angels off, Colon will pitch in a minor league game at Gene Autry Park in Mesa.

“As long as we get him to the 70-pitch range, he’ll have the length he needs,” Scioscia said.

Colon was one of a handful of major leaguers who played in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Rockies. Among the others was closer Francisco Rodriguez, who struck out one and walked one in a scoreless fifth. He has not given up a hit in five innings.

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A Major League Baseball official in the Dominican Republic said it would take at least another week -- and possibly longer -- for Cuban refugee Kendry Morales to gain Dominican citizenship, a prerequisite for obtaining the visa the 21-year-old switch-hitter needs to travel to the U.S.

Rafael Perez, senior manager of the MLB office in Santo Domingo, said it takes five to six months to gain citizenship, but neither Perez nor General Manager Bill Stoneman could pinpoint when that process began. David Valdes, Morales’ agent who is overseeing the process, has not returned several phone messages. Morales signed Dec. 1.

Obtaining Dominican citizenship requires a series of background checks and “tons of documents,” Perez said. Morales’ file has gone to the chief of staff for Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, who must prepare a decree of citizenship. Perez is trying to move it “from the bottom of the pile to the top of the pile,” he said.

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Jarrod Washburn returned from Wisconsin to make today’s start against Kansas City, but the left-hander might return home again afterward, depending on the status of his wife, Kerrie, whose due date to deliver the couple’s third child is Friday. Doctors tried to induce Kerrie’s labor Sunday and Monday, “but it didn’t work,” Washburn said. He said, “If the baby is not here in a few days, they may try to induce labor again.” ... An MRI test on Garret Anderson’s left knee Tuesday showed no structural damage, but the left fielder will remain sidelined for several days because of tendinitis.... Reliever Matt Hensley, who has a slight tear in his shoulder, will attempt to rehabilitate his arm for the next month before making a decision on possible season-ending surgery.... Pitcher Dustin Moseley, who left Tuesday’s game because of a strained right forearm, said he was confident the injury was minor.... Catcher Bengie Molina, out since March 5 because of a tight left calf, ran the bases but not at full speed.