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Washburn to Miss Start Because of Tendinitis

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Times Staff Writer

The forearm tendinitis that sidelined Jarrod Washburn for 18 days in late July and August flared up again after Friday’s game in Chicago, and the Angel left-hander has been scratched from Wednesday’s start against the Mariners.

Rookie left-hander Joe Saunders, who gave up two runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings in an emergency start Aug. 16 against Toronto, is expected to pitch in Washburn’s place so Kelvim Escobar can remain in the bullpen, where the right-hander could influence as many as four games in a week.

“If we commit to starting Kelvim now it means he would be out [Monday, tonight], Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Where do you get the biggest bang for your buck? In one start, where he pitches six or seven innings, or in a few games? If he helps us by pitching in three or four games we can win, that would carry a lot of weight compared to him pitching in one game.”

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Washburn’s injury is not considered serious, but he felt it hindered him Friday night, when he struggled with his command and gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings against the White Sox.

Washburn says he doesn’t want to jeopardize the Angels’ chances of winning in a tight division race or risk a more serious injury by altering his mechanics to compensate for the tendinitis, which has been bothering him for most of the season.

“My level of concern is almost zero -- my level of frustration is very high,” said Washburn, a free agent after this season. “I want nothing more than to be out there and helping the team, but I can’t jeopardize my career at the same time. Last time I went out there, I wasn’t as sharp, and I wasn’t able to help the team the way I can when I’m healthy.”

Washburn believes with about 10 days of rest, medication and treatment he can be ready for the final week of the regular season and, he hopes, the playoffs. Washburn pitched effectively after returning from the disabled list in mid-August, going 1-2 with a 2.76 earned-run average in his next five starts. But he struggled to get loose Friday against the White Sox, his breaking pitches weren’t very sharp, and he left too many pitches up.

“It only heals with rest; I tried to pitch with it and it became worse, intolerable,” Washburn said. “I’ll have to deal with it the rest of this season. Hopefully with about 10 days off it calms down enough to buy me another month.”

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The Angels on Monday won a coin flip to determine home-field advantage should they have to play Oakland in a one-game playoff to determine the American League West champion. If the teams tie for the division lead, they would play in Angel Stadium on Monday, Oct. 3.

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