Wilson throws in 'pen as Cowgill rejoins Angels

ANAHEIM -- Prior to Monday's series opener against the Orioles, Angels starter C.J. Wilson threw his first bullpen session since sustaining a sprained right ankle on July 9 and backup outfielder Collin Cowgill returned to the team for the first time since breaking his nose and right thumb on a July 12 pitch.

Cowgill expects to return from the disabled list in a couple of weeks.

Wilson called Monday's 50-pitch bullpen session "good progress" and plans to take part in some semblance of a simulated game on Wednesday, which could put him on track to return right around the time Cowgill does.

Wilson, who's almost certain he'll have to pitch in a rehab assignment before being activated, said the ankle doesn't really bother him while throwing and is only a problem when he has to field his position. The injury, sustained while fielding a comebacker on July 9, carried an estimated timetable of two to four weeks, putting the 33-year-old on track to return by late July or early August.

"I'm going to have to adjust to how it feels, because it's not just going to heal itself in a week," said Wilson, who has a 6.81 ERA since the start of June. "Some of the adjustment is going to have to be pain tolerance and things like that, and just learning how to use a somewhat-destabilized ankle."

Cowgill flew in from his home in Kentucky on Sunday night, had stitches removed from his nose on Monday and said it would probably be another few days before he could swing the bat. The 28-year-old did not require surgery on his thumb.

Rangers reliever Matt West apologized shortly after plunking Cowgill in Texas, and the Angels' outfielder said there are no hard feelings.

"It's baseball, accidents happen," Cowgill said. "It's just unfortunate it happened to my face."