Angels ace John Lackey, who led the American League with 3.01 ERA in 2007, is unlikely to slot with starting the Angels' season opener on March 31 in Minnesota, according to the L.A. Times. Lackey is taking a sore elbow slowly and will not make his Cactus League debut until this weekend.
Whether or not Lackey, 29, slots to pitch the Angels' home opener on April 4 - the 5th game of the season - has yet to be determined. With intense competition for bench spots, it seems inconceivable that the Angels will carry 7 pitchers in their bullpen to share the load early in the season, but look for a quick Salt Lake shuffle to occur during the season's first homestand.
0 recs | 7 comments
great
hopefully its not that serious. he didnt sound worried when he was on espn the other dayihearhowie2.0 - March 3, 2008
Jon Garland
Opening day starter :(edhoo - March 3, 2008
Any other possibilities?
wumbug - March 3, 2008
It's never good
when your top two starters begin the year with a tender elbow or sore shoulder. It means they'll be sore all year.jjackflash - March 3, 2008
Bootcheck is hurt too
The Angels believe Chris Bootcheck's oblique injury could be serious enough to keep him off the Opening Day roster.
edhoo - March 3, 2008
Interesting
And all of a sudden, there's a potential battle for a bullpen spot on the 25-man roster.Assuming Lackey's ready to go, the Opening Day staff figures to include the following:
Starters (5): Lackey, Weaver, Saunders, Garland & Santana
Relievers (6 or 7): Rodriguez, Shields, Speier, Oliver, Moseley, + ??? (and maybe another ???)
Candidates: Bulger (hasn't yet pitched this spring), Thompson, O'Day, Wilhite, Olenberger, Arredondo.
I'd handicap it as follows: Bulger, Thompson, Arredondo, & the rest, given that the first three are already on the 40-man roster.
jjackflash - March 3, 2008
Update
John Lackey threw 40 pitches in the bullpen on Monday and said he had no problems with his elbow.
edhoo - March 3, 2008
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