Rodriguez, Yates make progress in injury rehabs

ANAHEIM -- The Angels received good news on two of their injured pitchers on Tuesday, as right-handed reliever Kirby Yates faced hitters for the first time since landing on the injured list with left knee inflammation on March 22, and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez believes he’ll be throwing off a mound within a week after dealing with a right shoulder strain.

Yates, who signed a one-year deal worth $5 million in the offseason, faced hitters before Tuesday’s game against the Braves and said he threw 26 pitches and it went well. He’s hopeful that the next step will be starting a rehab assignment, but he’ll talk it over with the coaching staff and training staff on Wednesday.

“We got through it,” Yates said. “Body felt good. The hard part is, I didn't get a chance to do anything with my legs for 12-13 days. So we're trying to play catch-up with that. The legs aren't as fresh as I'd probably like them to be. But, overall, I think it was good.”

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki watched Yates and said everything went to plan. Yates, 39, is coming off a tough year with the Dodgers but has a career 3.36 ERA and 98 saves in 11 seasons in the Majors, so his experience would be a boost to the bullpen. He was a candidate to close, but right-hander Jordan Romano has fared well in that role with a 0.00 ERA in five innings and four saves.

“I thought he looked fine,” Suzuki said. “Obviously, first time in a while throwing to hitters, so it’s going to take time. Build his stamina, his legs back up, get his legs under him again. … But hopefully we’ll see him sooner than later.”

Rodriguez, meanwhile, landed on the IL to open the year with shoulder inflammation and what Suzuki called “dead arm” during Spring Training. But Rodriguez said he’s been throwing up to 150 feet and believes he’ll throw his first bullpen within the next week.

He’ll also join the Angels on their road trip to Cincinnati and New York to continue his throwing program. But Rodriguez, who was acquired in the trade that sent Taylor Ward to the Orioles, is still likely weeks away from a return.

“The arm is definitely getting strong quick,” Rodriguez said. “When I feel like I’m ready to throw the ball as hard as I want to throw it, that’ll let me know. But with how I’ve been progressing the last week to two weeks, it’s really given me a lot of confidence.”