Weaver scratched from scheduled Friday start

ANAHEIM -- Angels ace Jered Weaver, still bothered by right forearm tightness that crept up in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago, was scratched from his Friday start against the Mariners, with Matt Shoemaker taking his place.

Weaver experienced tightness toward the end of his start on Sept. 9, but he took his next turn against the Astros on Saturday and pitched six innings of two-run ball. The Angels expect Weaver to only miss one turn through the rotation, which lines him up to start on Wednesday against the A's.

"We're in the final 10-day stretch of the season," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a phone conversation. "At this point, you don't want to send Jered out there if he's feeling any degree of discomfort. The smart thing for us to do is just push him back. That's what we'll do."

Jerome Williams and C.J. Wilson will start Saturday and Sunday, as previously scheduled, with Garrett Richards and Jason Vargas lining up to go Monday and Tuesday.

Shoemaker's start will mark his Major League debut. The 26-year-old right-hander went 11-13 with a 4.64 ERA in 29 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake this year. Interestingly, the Angels opted to start him instead of Tommy Hanson, who was recalled from Triple-A early this week, or Joe Blanton, who has been in the bullpen since late July.

"It gives Shoe an opportunity to show what he can do at the big league level," Dipoto said. "We called him up for a reason. He fits very well down the stretch and in Triple-A. He's had nothing but consistent durability throughout his Minor League career, and this gives him an opportunity to go out there and show what he can do at the big league level. This is as good a chance as any."

Weaver is 10-8 with a 3.36 ERA in 23 starts. The 30-year-old has posted a 3.23 ERA since returning from a broken left elbow on May 29.