Weaver throws 63 pitches in rehab start

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Jered Weaver judged Thursday night's rehab appearance with the Inland Empire 66ers as successful, and said he felt very good physically. Weaver allowed only one unearned run for the Angels' Class A Advanced affiliate in the California League, who played against the Bakersfield Blaze, affiliate of the Mariners.

"My timing was a little bit off at the start, but the timing came together later in the game," Weaver said. "I was able to get my fastball down and away, and I could get out over my right side."

Weaver went on the disabled list on June 21 with inflammation of his left hip. His 4-8 record and 4.79 ERA are un-Weaver-like numbers for the right-hander, who is a three-time All Star and led the American League in wins during the 2012 and 2014 seasons.

Weaver had usually been able to pitch through hip problems during the last couple of years. Although he was reluctant to take a break, he talked with Angels manager Mike Scoscia last month.

"I usually want to throw the ball no matter what," said Weaver, a Southern California resident who pitched his college baseball at Long Beach State. "Stopping was the right decision, and the fact that five starters are doing well made the decision a little easier. If we had only two starters doing well, I probably would have had a more difficult time not pitching."

Weaver threw 63 pitches under a pre-imposed limit of four innings or 60 pitches. 

"I felt like I could have thrown 75 or 80 pitches," Weaver said.

Weaver will return to the Angels on Friday in Los Angeles, where the Halos will face the Dodgers in the Freeway Series. He will be observed by trainers and throw a side session before a decision will be made about when Weaver will return. 

An example of Thursday's early struggles came against Bakersfield third baseman Tim Lopes in a seven-pitch at-bat. Lopes fouled off three pitches. Weaver had Lopes off stride, but gave up a single to center which led to Bakersfield's run. Lopes stole second and continued to third on a throwing error. He scored on Tyler O'Neill's sac fly to left.

After the second inning, Weaver had most Bakersfield batters fooled with his assortment of offspeed pitches and well-located fastballs. He finished the evening with two strikeouts and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. He gave up three hits.

The most important clubhouse question during Minor League rehab assignments is what a Major Leaguer ordered as a food spread.

"I think it was some sort of Hawaiian barbeque," Weaver said.