Angels to face ex-teammate Ervin Santana for first time tonight

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ervin Santana will make his first-ever start against the Angels on Thursday night when the Kansas City Royals right-hander faces his ex-teammates in Kauffman Stadium.

Santana spent the first eight years of his big league career in Anaheim, going 96-80 with a 4.27 earned-run average in 244 games, including a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 2011.

But when it became clear the Angels had no interest in exercising Santana’s $13-million option for 2013, he was traded to the Royals for reliever Brandon Sisk and $1 million in cash.

Santana is 3-3 with a 2.77 ERA in his first eight starts for Kansas City, striking out 44 and walking nine in 55 1/3 innings. He went 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA and allowed a major league-high 39 homers for the Angels last season.

“He certainly made some footprints here, he was an All-Star pitcher, and like any pitcher who’s been here for a long time, it’s always strange to see him in a different uniform and a different color,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “But I’m sure his stuff will be the same.”

Could the Angels’ familiarity with Santana be an advantage for them?

“Guys know his tendencies,” Scioscia said, “but until you get in the batter’s box and see his arm angle and release point, you’re not really going to get a feel for him.”

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