Saunders feels good after 41/3-inning effort

With Jered Weaver and Bartolo Colon set to open the season on the disabled list, the last thing the Angels need this spring is for another starting pitcher to go down because of an injury.

That’s why the team was so relieved to see Joe Saunders get through a 4 1/3 -inning, two-run, eight-hit effort in an 8-3 exhibition victory over Arizona on Wednesday. The left-hander, scratched from his last start because of elbow tightness, threw 79 pitches, including several nice curves and changeups, with virtually no discomfort.

“There was some concern in the back of my mind,” Saunders said. “I can still feel it in there a little bit, but I think I’ll be fine -- I’m not worried about it. The flexor muscle was a little tight, a little overworked, and needed a break. But I felt good today, so I’m pretty happy.”

No drum roll necessary

In the most anticlimactic announcement of the spring, Manager Mike Scioscia confirmed what has been obvious for weeks: John Lackey will start opening day against Texas on April 2. The right-hander will be followed in the rotation by Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana, Saunders and either Dustin Moseley or Hector Carrasco.

“It wasn’t that big of a surprise -- I saw how it was lined up,” said Lackey, who is 27-16 with a 3.50 earned-run average and 389 strikeouts in the last two seasons. “But it’s an honor, definitely, because we have such a good rotation. It’s definitely something I was working toward, and something I think I’m ready for.”

Scioscia said Weaver, slowed by shoulder tightness, would be out at least two regular-season starts and probably will be folded into the rotation April 15 or 16.

New wrinkle

Setup man Scot Shields, who took the loss in a 1 2/3 -inning outing against San Diego on Tuesday, has had a rocky spring, going 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA.

He is working on his changeup, which he said he threw about 10 times last season.

“I was upset I didn’t get the job done [Tuesday] because I want to throw the ball well,” Shields said. “On the positive side, I threw some off-speed stuff that I was really encouraged about.”

Rehab report

Colon took another positive step in his rehabilitation from a rotator-cuff tear, throwing fastballs and changeups during a 45-pitch batting practice session. The right-hander will step up to 60 pitches for his next workout Saturday.

It is unlikely Colon will pitch in a Cactus League game, but he appears on course to return by late April or early May.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com