Closer Fuentes gets his groove back

The worst bullpen in the major leagues could have an All-Star in its midst.

Brian Fuentes has bounced back from a slow start in a big way, converting 15 of his last 16 save opportunities. The Angels’ closer entered Wednesday leading the American League with 20 saves and had not given up a run in his last seven appearances.

“He’s found his groove and I think we’re seeing the guy we thought we were going to see,” pitching coach Mike Butcher said. “I’m happy with what he’s doing.”

Butcher attributed Fuentes’ success in part to improved fastball location, a more consistent changeup and a tighter breaking ball. Fuentes said the Angels’ recent surge also had played a part.

“We’re playing better and that’s great because if we’re playing better I’m going to get more opportunities,” Fuentes said. “The more I pitch I think the better I’ll get.”

Might Fuentes, whose 4.07 earned-run average is nearly a full point lower than it was near the beginning of June, be on the verge of his fourth All-Star appearance?

“It’s out of my hands,” Fuentes said. “If that happens it’s awesome and if not, oh well. All I control is the ninth inning.”

Escobar voices regrets

Kelvim Escobar said he regretted not informing the Angels that he felt discomfort in his shoulder after a rehabilitation start this month for triple-A Salt Lake. The right-hander made one start for the Angels before landing back on the disabled list when his shoulder failed to sufficiently recover.

“I was in pain. It wasn’t right,” he said of the way he felt after throwing 87 pitches for the Bees on June 1. “ . . . I should have said something at that point, but I didn’t. I was very excited, very anxious to pitch and get out there. We’re human, and I thought I was doing my best by throwing.”

Escobar, who missed all of last season because of a tear in his shoulder, acknowledged feeling “embarrassed” about not being able to contribute for more than a year.

“I have pride and I want to get out there and help my team,” he said.

Escobar said Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels’ medical director, told him to wait until he was pain free to resume throwing. He reported feeling a “deep ache” in his shoulder after playing catch Monday.

“It could be one week, it could be two weeks, it could be three,” Escobar said. “Who knows? It all depends on how my shoulder feels and I’m not going to push through it now.”

Short hops

Second baseman Howie Kendrick’s return from Salt Lake does not appear imminent, even though he hit .308 with one home run and seven runs batted in in his first 10 games since being demoted. “When he’s able to put [together] four good at-bats, five good at-bats every night and feels good about his swing and where it is, that’s what you’re looking for,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’re seeing it, but he’s not quite yet where he needs to be.” . . . One day after Vladimir Guerrero clipped his trademark dreadlocks, first baseman Kendry Morales showed up in the clubhouse with a shaved head. “He’s been wearing a wig for a long time,” Scioscia joked. “He just decided to go without the wig today.” . . . Broadcaster Terry Smith will miss the Angels’ games Friday and Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks to attend the funeral of his father, John Joseph Smith, who died Sunday in Pompano Beach, Fla. He was 83.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com