Lackey Cruises but Mathis Bruises

On a day pitcher John Lackey took a significant step in his recovery from a minor shoulder ailment, his battery mate, rookie Jeff Mathis, suffered a setback that could sideline him for several days.

Playing in a triple-A game at the San Francisco Giants’ complex, Mathis was drilled Monday on the outside of the left hand by a Chris Begg fastball, the impact producing a thud and knocking Mathis out of the game in the fifth inning.

The hand swelled immediately, and Mathis was scheduled to undergo an X-ray later Monday. But the ball appeared to hit the soft, fleshy area of the hand instead of a bone, and the preliminary diagnosis was a bruise.

“It scared me,” said Mathis, who is expected to split the catching job with Jose Molina. “I was pretty nervous for a minute, but it stopped hurting when I put ice on it.”

Lackey, slowed for 10 days in early March because of shoulder stiffness, was so efficient he needed only 50 pitches to complete four scoreless innings against the Giants’ triple-A team. His fastball was crisp; his curve and changeup looked sharp.

Lackey, who gave up two hits, struck out six and walked none, threw an additional 20 pitches in the bullpen to get to the 70-pitch mark. With two more exhibition starts to work up to the 100-pitch range, Lackey is on target to pitch the second game of the regular season in Seattle.

“I felt great, I felt strong,” Lackey said. “I think the shoulder [problem] is done. I’m not worried about it. I think I’ll be ready to go.”

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Third baseman Dallas McPherson, who has been working to shorten his swing this spring, had five hits, including a prodigious home run, in 10 at-bats while shuffling between triple-A and double-A games. ... Closer Francisco Rodriguez threw a scoreless inning in the double-A game. ... The Angels were off Monday and will resume Cactus League play today against Texas at Surprise, Ariz.