Williams fine after 51-pitch simulated game

BALTIMORE -- Angels right-hander Jerome Williams, on the disabled list due to a recent bout with shortness of breath, completed a 51-pitch simulated game prior to Monday's series opener against the Orioles.

"It was a complete-game shutout," Williams joked.

But it might as well have been. Williams came out of it feeling perfectly fine, could get in a Minor League rehab game at some point this week and is looking like a prime candidate to be activated off the DL on July 4, the first day he'd be eligible.

"He definitely looked good this afternoon," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think he had a great workout, threw 50-plus pitches, and we'll see where it sets up in the next day or two."

Whether or not Williams returns to the rotation -- a rotation that now includes the young, impressive Garrett Richards -- remains to be seen. But the 30-year-old right-hander doesn't feel his episode last Monday night, when he had an asthma attack, passed out and was rushed to the hospital following a start against his former team, the Giants, will be any hindrance to him carrying the workload of a starting pitcher once again.

"No concern at all," Williams said. "I've been working my butt off."