ANAHEIM -- It's clear that Angels manager Mike Scioscia has a lot on his plate in regard to injuries.
With 10 players on the disabled list and another Major League-level talent hurt in the Minors, Scioscia has been eager to have some good news.
"If we're going to be talking about all the guys who are hurt, we're going to be here for an hour," he said.
But good news is potentially on the way, as this weekend provides a critical turning point in the rehab of several injured Angels.
Angels reliever Cory Rasmus delivered the first bit of good news Friday, throwing his first bullpen session in his return from a right groin strain.
The club announced after Friday's 7-2 win over the Astros that it plans to activate infielder Cliff Pennington from the 15-day disabled list Saturday. He hasn't played since sustaining a left hamstring strain on May 12. In a corresponding move, the Angels will designate infielder Brendan Ryan for assignment.
Saturday will also bring with it two simulated games for Angels pitchers. Both right-hander Tim Lincecum and closer Huston Street will throw simulated games in extended spring training in Tempe, Ariz., though Scioscia didn't say whether they will throw in the same game. Lincecum, who was signed to a Major League deal last week and is recovering from hip surgery, threw a 61-pitch simulated game in Arizona on Monday. Saturday will likely be his final simulated game before moving to Triple-A Salt Lake for a rehab start. Street, who hasn't pitched since April 23, will throw one inning Saturday in his return from a left oblique strain. From there, Scioscia said the team will determine if he needs another outing before he is activated.
Left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was optioned to Triple-A to start the season and is therefore not on the Major League disabled list, will throw in a game for the first time since leaving a Triple-A start with shoulder pain on April 20. He will throw two innings in extended spring training, Scioscia said.
Worth noting
• Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons said he hopes to be back taking live at-bats within two weeks. Simmons hasn't played since undergoing left thumb surgery on May 10 and was originally said to have a return timetable of six to eight weeks. Simmons said he has been able to hit soft toss and field grounders, but must wait until the swelling goes down before he can be a full go at baseball activities.
• Scioscia said left fielder Daniel Nava has been cleared to begin baseball activites and hit off a tee, but he is still a "long ways away" from returning. He suffered a left groin strain on May 16 against the Dodgers and hasn't played since.
• Reliever Lucas Luetge has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday. He was designated for assignment on May 25, and joins Danny Reynolds, Al Alburquerque and A.J. Achter as relievers who cleared waivers and were sent to Triple-A in the last week.