Scioscia may be wishing on All-Stars

It seems preposterous to think the Angels could send six players to the All-Star game, but there are recent precedents for one team being so well-represented.

The Yankees had eight players, including three starters, on the 2004 American League team, and the White Sox had seven, all reserves, on the 2006 roster.

Vladimir Guerrero has all but locked up a starting spot -- the Angels slugger is the leading AL outfield vote-getter -- but Manager Mike Scioscia thinks five other Angels, pitchers John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera, are worthy of being All-Stars.

“I don’t think the number of guys on your team who could be All-Stars should preclude you from selecting guys who are deserving,” Scioscia said. “I know [AL Manager Jim Leyland] is well aware of the guys who are having terrific seasons. I’m sure we’ll be well-represented.”

Rodriguez, who has an AL-leading 22 saves and a 2.30 earned-run average, is a lock, and Lackey (10-4, 2.96 ERA) and Escobar (8-3, 2.97 ERA) are near locks. Shields (2.06 ERA in 34 games) has a good chance.

Cabrera (.337, 23 doubles, 48 runs, 40 runs batted in) is having as good a season as All-Star starter Derek Jeter, but he plays a premium position that features All-Star candidates such as Miguel Tejada, Carlos Guillen, Michael Young and Jhonny Peralta.

What could nudge some Angels out of the picture is baseball’s rule requiring all 30 teams to have at least one All-Star. For instance, if the only candidate from a last-place team plays shortstop -- like Tejada -- that makes it more difficult for Cabrera to make the team.

“I’m not in favor of every team being represented,” Scioscia said. “I know it’s an exhibition to showcase every team, and it’s an honor, but if I was a player who was having a mediocre year and was picked just because your team wasn’t represented ... I would think that would be watered down, almost a backhanded compliment.”

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Lackey, as expected, was scratched from Sunday’s start because of shoulder tendinitis, and the right-hander will be replaced by Bartolo Colon, who, because of Thursday’s off day, will start Sunday on regular rest.

Lackey played catch Friday and is expected to throw in the bullpen Sunday before returning to the rotation Tuesday against Kansas City. Ervin Santana is expected to start Monday, and Jered Weaver, scratched from Friday’s start because of a bruised right shoulder, is expected to pitch Wednesday.

“It feels like it’s healing,” said Weaver, injured on a slide into second base at Dodger Stadium last Saturday. “It’s just a little sore. We want to be safe with it.”

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To make room on the roster for pitcher Joe Saunders, the Angels optioned outfielder Terry Evans to triple-A Salt Lake. Evans hit a two-run home run and scored the eventual winning run in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over Houston, his first big league start.... First baseman Casey Kotchman, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion last Saturday, hit off a tee and took infield practice Friday. His headaches have subsided, and he expects to take batting practice today in anticipation of a Sunday return.... The Angels entered Friday having gone from first to third on singles 49 times, most in the major leagues.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com