ANAHEIM -- Injuries have been the Angels' biggest storyline through the first two months of the season, but the rotation could soon get a reinforcement with Tim Lincecum
Lincecum threw a five-inning, 75-pitch simulated game Saturday in extended spring training in Tempe, Ariz., giving up two runs on two hits while striking out six. Lincecum was signed to a Major League contract on May 20 and is still working his way back from offseason surgery on his left hip.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he was encouraged by the reports on Lincecum, which showed that his off-speed pitching was solid and that his fastball velocity ranged 87-91 mph. Lincecum's next outing will come Thursday with Triple-A Salt Lake in Tacoma, Wash. Scioscia said Lincecum will likely need a minimum of two more rehab starts, which would line up with another start on June 7 in Reno, Nev. before joining the Major League club for a series June 10-12 against Cleveland at Angel Stadium.
Worth noting
• Angels closer Huston Street threw a one-inning, 20-pitch simulated game in extended spring training in Tempe on Saturday. Scisocia said he expects Street to be reevaluated before they decide whether or not to send him on another rehab assignment.
• Left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was expected to throw a two-inning simulated game this weekend, will instead likely throw at extended spring training in Tempe on Monday. It will be his first time throwing in a game since leaving his April 20 start in Triple-A with left shoulder pain. He was diagnosed with left biceps tendinitis. He was optioned to Triple-A just before the end of Spring Training as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery.
• The Angels activated infielder Cliff Pennington from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday. Scioscia said he expected Pennington and Gregorio Petit to mix in for playing time, with Pennington likely starting Sunday. Petit has hit .267 in 14 games entering play Saturday.