So that debate about which team has the best starting rotation in the A.L. West, the Angels or Mariners? You might not want to bring that up again until June.

John Lackey will join Kelvim Escobar in opening the season on the disabled list after an MRI performed Friday revealed a strained triceps. The problem is just above the back of Lackey’s elbow, a different area than the discomfort in the inside of the elbow joint that set Lackey back this spring and kept him from making his first Cactus League start until March 10.

Lackey will not throw at all for the next three to four weeks and will be re-evaluated before he is cleared to begin a throwing program.  That timetable would seem to indicate an early May return as the most optimistic scenario.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever missed a start since I was drafted,” Lackey said. “It’s disappointing but it could have been worse. Hopefully, I’ll be ready for the end (of the season).

“No fun — it’s definitely not where I want to be.”

Angels GM Tony Reagins said he is not inclined to look outside the organization for pitching help “at this point.” Dustin Moseley is the frontrunner to hold down Lackey’s spot in the rotation with youngsters Nick Adenhart and Nick Green longshots.

“They’re on our depth chart,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of the two young prospects. “Let’s see where we are in 10 days. A lot can happen in 10 days.”

On a more positive note, Escobar went through a strength test on his pitching shoulder Friday and began his throwing program on Saturday, playing catch from about 45 feet for five minutes.

Reagins said a mid- to early May return for Escobar is an optimistic target “if everything goes well.”

– BILL PLUNKETT/The Orange County Register

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am and is filed under Angels, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Mike Scioscia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.