Halos Heaven: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Steve McNair Found Shot to Death


Aching Ace: John Lackey Unlikely to Start Season Opener

Angels ace John Lackey, who led the American League with 3.01 ERA in 2007, is unlikely to slot with starting the Angels' season opener on March 31 in Minnesota, according to the L.A. Times. Lackey is taking a sore elbow slowly and will not make his Cactus League debut until this weekend.

Whether or not Lackey, 29, slots to pitch the Angels' home opener on April 4 - the 5th game of the season - has yet to be determined. With intense competition for bench spots, it seems inconceivable that the Angels will carry 7 pitchers in their bullpen to share the load early in the season, but look for a quick Salt Lake shuffle to occur during the season's first homestand.

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

great
hopefully its not that serious. he didnt sound worried when he was on espn the other day

by ihearhowie2.0 on Mar 3, 2008 10:13 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's never good
when your top two starters begin the year with a tender elbow or sore shoulder.  It means they'll be sore all year.

by jjackflash on Mar 3, 2008 10:22 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bootcheck is hurt too
        
The Angels believe Chris Bootcheck's oblique injury could be serious enough to keep him off the Opening Day roster.
Get rid of Quinlan

by edhoo on Mar 3, 2008 10:27 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interesting
And all of a sudden, there's a potential battle for a bullpen spot on the 25-man roster.

Assuming Lackey's ready to go, the Opening Day staff figures to include the following:

Starters (5): Lackey, Weaver, Saunders, Garland & Santana

Relievers (6 or 7): Rodriguez, Shields, Speier, Oliver, Moseley, + ??? (and maybe another ???)

Candidates: Bulger (hasn't yet pitched this spring), Thompson, O'Day, Wilhite, Olenberger, Arredondo.

I'd handicap it as follows: Bulger, Thompson, Arredondo, & the rest, given that the first three are already on the 40-man roster.

by jjackflash on Mar 3, 2008 2:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Update

John Lackey threw 40 pitches in the bullpen on Monday and said he had no problems with his elbow.

Get rid of Quinlan

by edhoo on Mar 3, 2008 12:42 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Halos Heaven is the world's 12th Most Important Baseball Blog, according to Sports Media Challenge.
Start posting about the Angels »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

La_angels_2_small
Visit to Wrigley Field
Cimg1212_small
Sampling The Good Life (6/24/09)
Hhavatar_small
What type of Angels fan are YOU? (2009 edition)

Recent FanPosts

Angelsbathroom_small
Jered Got Jobbed
Vo7fnzxx_small
All-Star Final Vote
La_angels_2_small
Random Thoughts from Today's Game
M_508242c1984b7cf77ea7a68720a319e7_small
On this day in 1939
Angels_logo_small
Santana Pounded Again Early
Angelsbathroom_small
Best Angel Non-All-Star Seasons
2455255432_3f8c09bc36_small
Orioles' Billy Ripken 1989 Fleer Card
Angelsbathroom_small
Are Angels disproportionately snubbed in the All-Star game?
Hhavatar_small
Halos are Ultimate Sports Franchise - (from ESPN)!
Small
MONDAY NIGHT FUNDRAISER....ADENHART FRIEND

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

SPONSORS


Managers

4323_1105939621665_1622022962_290465_5300842_n_small Rev Halofan

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports