Pitching Situation Clouded by Rainout

The Angels’ rotation situation became a bit more clouded after Friday’s rainout.

With Kelvim Escobar on the disabled list, the Angels were already in need of one emergency starter for next week’s series in Cleveland. Friday’s rainout could leave them needing two.

Bartolo Colon, Friday’s starter, will pitch the first game in today’s doubleheader, which will probably leave him unavailable for Wednesday’s day game in Cleveland, which was to be his next start. The Angels were already looking to fill Escobar’s spot on Tuesday.

“We’re definitely going to need a pitcher from the minors,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We might need two if we want to keep the bullpen the way it is now.”

That decision could become easier today. If either Colon or Game 2 starter Jarrod Washburn has a short outing, Scioscia said he would consider bringing one back on three days’ rest.

“It would have to be a situation where one got knocked out early and didn’t make a lot of pitches, or went seven innings and threw 70 pitches,” Scioscia said.

Reliever Kevin Gregg could make the Tuesday start, provided he is not needed in relief.

The candidates from the minors include Chris Bootcheck, who is at triple-A Salt Lake, and Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Steven Shell, all at double-A Arkansas.

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Escobar said his elbow had been sore for two starts before he gave up four runs in five innings Wednesday. The pain prompted him to have an X-ray taken Tuesday.

“It showed that there was a bone spur, but I’m sure there are a lot guys out there who are pitching with a bone spur,” Escobar said. “I felt fine between starts.”

Escobar said he will undergo ultrasound treatment, but he is not expected to throw for at least five days.

“I still feel pain when I move my arm,” he said.

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Steve Finley, who left Wednesday’s game because of a tight left groin, was penciled in at designated hitter for Friday’s game as a precaution. He probably will fill that role through the weekend series in Detroit

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Pitching coach Bud Black, said to be a possible candidate for the Kansas City manager’s job, said the Royals have not contracted him.