Rasmus activated, optioned to Triple-A

ARLINGTON -- Right-hander Cory Rasmus is no longer on the disabled list, but that doesn't mean he's returning to the Angels right away.

The Angels activated Rasmus and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday before their 8-2 win over the Rangers. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the club moved outfielder Collin Cowgill to the 60-day DL. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Cowgill suffered a setback in his recovery from a sprained right wrist.

"He's in Phoenix now," Scioscia said. "He's getting reevaluated. It flared up again on him. We'll look for direction from the doctor to see what the next course of action is. It's still up in the air."

Rasmus is recovering from an April abdominal surgery that served as a disappointment for the reliever who had a 2.57 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 56 innings last season.

Scioscia said Rasmus is throwing well and could be stretched to up to 50 pitches in Triple-A appearances.

"We'll see where he fits in, whether he fits in with us or whatever," he said.

The plan is to leave Rasmus in the bullpen, but Scioscia said the righty remains valuable as long relief option and could even make a short spot start.

"He's never going to go 80, 90 pitches," Scioscia said. "I think that ship sailed … But like that little 60-pitch stint like he had last year, where he gets into the fourth, fifth inning, he's really great."

Worth noting

• Right-hander Jered Weaver continues his recovery from left hip inflammation, but his return date remains unknown. Weaver threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is scheduled to throw another Saturday.

"He seems like he feels a little crisper," Scioscia said. "He's got a little work to do, but we'll know within a week really where he is. Most likely it's going to be after the [All-Star break] because we're going to need a rehab start."

• Angels information coach Rico Brogna will move to a scouting role with the organization as the fallout from former general manager Jerry Dipoto's resignation earlier this week continues.

 • The Angels entered Friday with a 41-38 record despite a minus-two run differential. The Angels have allowed 305 runs and scored 303.

 "I think it proves we're doing some things well," Scioscia said. "We're pitching very well. … It comes down really to a function of our offense."