FanHouse ChrisBootcheck

If you just look at his numbers so far on the season, you probably don't see anything wrong with Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez. In three appearances so far, K-Rod has thrown three innings and allowed only one hit and no runs as he picked up all three save opportunities.

If you look a little closer at Francisco's performances, though, you notice that he's already walked three batters, and that half of the pitches he's thrown have been for balls. The reason for it? Well, K-Rod, like many other Angels pitchers at the moment, is hurting.

Closer Francisco Rodriguez, bothered since last season by a sore left ankle, grimaced repeatedly and appeared to be hobbling during a shaky 19-pitch save Friday. And Manager Mike Scioscia said the pain is now coming from his right ankle, the one he uses to push off the mound.

"He tweaked it a couple of days ago, and we're going to look at it closely," Scioscia said. "But it is a little sore."

Rodriguez says he could have pitched on Sunday had he been needed, but fortunately for him Jon Garland decided to get rocked so Frankie could have the day off. I don't think Rodriguez's sore ankle will turn into a big deal, but considering it's the ankle he uses to push off the mound with, the Angels might be better served to give him a few days off and hope it heals.

Of course, it's a lot easier to say that then do it when they're already without Scot Shields and Chris Bootcheck in the bullpen.

And the hits just keep on coming for the Angels.

This spring has already been hard on the Halos as they've already put four pitchers on the disabled list (Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, Scot Shields, and Chris Bootcheck) and they'll probably be putting Gary Matthews Jr. on it as well in the coming days. It seems that every day the Angels are hit with bad news.

That didn't change this morning. Kelvim Escobar, who was expected to be back in May, had a setback in his shoulder rehab on Tuesday and is going to miss even more time.

As if the Angels didn't have enough problems, there was more disturbing news Tuesday: A week into his throwing program, the second phase of his rehabilitation from a sore shoulder, Escobar has been shut down because of discomfort, a setback that probably will push the right-hander's return to June.

"When you're activating your arm, sometimes you have little glitches," Scioscia said. "He started to throw, felt a little discomfort, and now he's trying to get some of the inflammation out of there. It's nothing unusual in a rehab scenario to have to take a step back."

I don't know if I agree with Mike Scioscia's diagnosis of this being a "little glitch" in Escobar's rehab. Losing the 18-game winner for another month doesn't really qualify as "little" in my book. Kelvim stubbing his toe and having to miss a day is a little glitch. This is a bonafide problem.

If there's any good news for the Angels, it's that they didn't trade away any of their excess pitching this offseason because they need it now more than ever. Of course, it's even better news for the Mariners, as this can only help their odds of wrestling the AL West away from the Halos.

The Angels disabled list is filling up rather quickly this spring. It seems like everyday they're having to place another player on it. So far, it's been an affliction that's only affecting their pitching staff as the Angels have four pitchers on the disabled list in John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Scot Shields, and Chris Bootcheck. Luckily for the Angels, if there's an area of the team where they have enough depth to shoulder such losses, it's the pitching staff.

The other area where the Angels are extremely deep is in the outfield where they currently have six players they can plug in. Actually, make that five at the moment, because Gary Matthews Jr. may soon be joining all those pitchers on the shelf.

Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. left Monday's game against the San Diego Padres in the first inning after rolling his right ankle while running the bases. Matthews was helped to the clubhouse by Angels trainer Ned Bergert and then taken for X-rays. The X-rays were negative and the preliminary diagnosis is a sprained right ankle.

His status will be re-evaluated today but even before the injury he was not scheduled to play again until Thursday's one-game Freeway Series in Anaheim.

You never want to have injuries in the spring, but if you're going to have them, you don't want them to be during the final week before the season starts. As I already said, though, with Torii Hunter, Vlad Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, and Reggie Willits, there are plenty of Angels in the outfield to keep the team afloat if Matthews has to miss any times.

I missed this the other day, but just had to share it with you now. Apparently rest and relaxation weren't what helped Jered Weaver recover from his sore shoulder and strep throat.

It was rap music. More specifically, the Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rock Star."

Moments before taking the field to close out a three-game series against Kansas City Wednesday, Angels starter Jered Weaver -- the right-hander scheduled to take the mound that afternoon -- and reliever Dustin Moseley displayed the dexterity (sort of) they possess in their other limbs.

Trading the high-priced arms they flaunt so masterfully on a baseball diamond for the opportunity to show off the dancing prowess in the limbs below their waists, the pair put on a show for a group of amused reporters as the Shop Boyz's "Party Like a Rock Star" blared from the clubhouse speakers.

Mike Scioscia was not amused.

"Jered, is this you?" Scioscia asked while pointing to the clubhouse stereo. "What is this?"

"Party Like A Rock Star," Weaver answered mid-twist, the cap on his head turned backward. "Don't worry about it."

"He must've gone in my car and got it right out of my CD player," Scioscia later joked. "That's terrible. And you can put that in the paper."