TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday that ace right-hander Garrett Richards is scheduled "in pencil" to start against the Dodgers on March 31, three days before Opening Day. That would seem to suggest that Richards will be unavailable to start the Angels' season opener, though it's also possible he could make an abbreviated outing to stay sharp for their first game against the A's on April 3.
Still, Scioscia said nothing is definitive at this point.
"There's a couple of things that could happen next week," he said. "That's in pencil, so we're not announcing Garrett is starting on [March 31]. I'm just saying it's a possibility."
Matthew Shoemaker is currently lined up to start on Opening Day and would be followed by Tyler Skaggs, Richards, Jesse Chavez and Ricky Nolasco.
Worth noting
• Yunel Escobar returned to the Angels lineup Wednesday after missing four games with a mild abdominal strain. He started at third base and finished 0-for-3 with a walk.
• Right-handed reliever Richard Parker had an impressive outing against the Rangers, striking out all five batters he faced. Left-hander Jose Alvarez also struck out the side in the seventh in his first Cactus League appearance since returning from the World Baseball Classic on Sunday.
• Bullpen hopeful Kirby Yates did not have a good showing in the Angels' 9-8 split-squad win over the Mariners on Wednesday, surrendering four runs on three hits -- including a two-run homer to Jean Segura -- over 1 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three.
• Left-hander Cody Ege has enjoyed a strong camp so far, pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks. Scioscia said the 25-year-old reliever remains among the contenders for a bullpen job.
"He came up and showed that his stuff could play when he makes his pitches in the big leagues," Scioscia said. "I think he's more than just a lefty specialist. He's got a unique package of pitches. He changes speeds well. He knows how to pitch."
• The Angels assigned left-hander Manny Banuelos and outfielder Ramon Flores to Minor League camp and optioned infielder Kaleb Cowart to Triple-A Salt Lake. They now have 47 active players in Major League camp.