Kelvim Escobar Sent To Bullpen

"Angels RHP Kelvim Escobar has been dropped from the rotation after one start and sent to the bullpen due to a lack of stamina in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said Escobar will not pitch again until the middle of next week. There is a possibility that Escobar, expected to be a reliever the rest of the season, could wind up on the disabled list. "If he's not ready to pitch by the middle of next week then we'll have to DL him. We don't anticipate that," Scioscia said before Thursday night's game at Tampa Bay (Sportsline)."

Kelvim is just not ready to be a full time starter. He should be decent out of the bullpen, but is really a year away from being an impact player. The Angels have not been playing well, and I really think there should start being whispers of firing Mike Scioscia. He is really holding back some of the young talent and I just don't understand it. There offense needs help and instead of bringing up guys like Sean Rodriguez or Brandon Wood, he continues to play Aybar and Kendrick. Sorry that makes no sense to me...

Escobar/Vlad To Start Rehab

"The L.A. Daily News reports that Angels SP Kelvim Escobar will throw for manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher either Tuesday or Wednesday and could start a Class A rehab assignment later this week (Sportsline)."

The Angels currently sit 1 game over .500. Not very impressive until you look at who has been out for them (Lackey, Santana, Vlad, and Escobar). Escobar is on track for a return to the Angels rotation in early June. The question now is whether or not he will be in the rotation. There seems to be some concern on whether he will be ready to pitch 6-7 innings. The other reason they are considering him moving to the bullpen is because their bullpen has been one of the worst in the league. Across the board their relievers (which are usually a strength for them) have been disappointments. Maybe a player of Escobar's talent could right the ship for them, but I still think they will end up putting him in the rotation. He is just too valuable when healthy.

Vladimir Guerrero will begin a Class A rehab assignment on Friday, as he tried to come back from a pectoral injury. Guerrero began taking batting practice Friday in Texas and ran the bases aggressively Monday. He is not ready to throw the ball, but seems to be ready to comeback as a DH. That is a huge help to the Angels who have basically been living off Torii Hunter's hot start.

I still believe Texas is a year away from being a playoff team, and their ptiching will falter, so i think with all these guys coming back the Angels have a real good shot at taking back the division.

Angels Could Be Getting Stronger Quick

"The Angels are targeting May 1 as a return for John Lackey, as well as right-hander Ervin Santana, who is on the DL because of a sprained elbow ligament, according to the L.A. Times. Lackey threw off a mound Monday, while Santana expects to do it by this weekend. "So far, so good," Santana told the paper. "We'll see what happens when I go off a mound." Kelvim Escobar will start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday night, with a target of 55 to 60 pitches, according to the paper (Sportsline)."

I have said over and over again I am not very high on the Angels this year, but their pitching staff could become very strong very quickly over the next month. Escobar was not supposed to be back till June, but now it looks like he might be up before the month is over. Add that with the fact the Angels should be getting Lackey and Santana back around the same time, and you have done a lot of upgrading without having to trade anyone. The reason I was not high on this team this year had nothing to do with their pitching though, it had to do with their hitting. The only way I can see them being really good is if guys like Kendrick step up, and veterans like Vlad, and Hunter stay healthy.