Stoneman, Weaver Remain Far Apart

The Angels are getting closer to writing off pitcher Jered Weaver, their first-round pick in the 2004 draft.

General Manager Bill Stoneman said that he has not had talks with Scott Boras, Weaver’s agent, since a brief conversation during the last homestand. The two sides are believed to be about $3 million apart. If the Angels do not sign Weaver by midnight EDT on May 30, he will be eligible for the June 7 draft.

“It doesn’t look like it is going to get done,” Stoneman said. “If it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t happen.”

The Angels have offered a five-year major league deal for about $5 million or a minor league deal with a $4-million signing bonus, leaving the choice up to Weaver, who was the 12th overall selection in the draft. He is seeking a package with a signing bonus in the $8-million range.

“We have taken a significant step and we did that some time ago,” Stoneman said. “It’s the best deal, either major league or minor league. If the best isn’t good enough, we’ll move on.”

Stoneman said no further talks were planned.

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Pitcher Kelvim Escobar, on the 15-day disabled list with a bone spur in his right elbow, began playing light catch Tuesday and could throw of the mound as soon as Monday.

“The problem was the spur was rubbing on the tendon,” Escobar said. ‘When the inflammation went down, it stopped doing that.”

Escobar remained hopeful that he would miss only one or two more starts, but said he was not going to rush back.

“I’m not going to pitch [in a game] again until it is 100%,” Escobar said. “There are enough things to worry about out there without having to worry whether you’re 100% healthy.”

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Closer Francisco Rodriguez, who has a strained muscle in his right forearm, will not be available until at least Friday. Rodriguez will test his arm Thursday or Friday. “It’s going to take a day or two to get some strength in there,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.... Steve Finley, who sat out the last two games with a groin injury, returned to the lineup as the designated hitter, driving in the Angels’ first run with a single. Scioscia said that Finley could return to center field Friday against the Dodgers.