Jered Weaver Might Get Next Try in Colon’s Spot

The Angels, confident that Jered Weaver is ready for the major leagues after one month at triple A, are leaning toward starting him Saturday in Toronto and giving him the chance to replace Bartolo Colon in the rotation.

As Colon’s recovery from a shoulder injury lingers, the Angels believe they might be better served with Weaver in the rotation and Hector Carrasco back in the bullpen.

The Angels initially expected Colon to miss two starts. Carrasco has made three starts in his place, most impressively Monday, when he held the Oakland Athletics to one run in six innings.

Tuesday, however, Manager Mike Scioscia said Carrasco would not necessarily get another start. Scioscia said the team would consider Carrasco and “look at some other avenues.”

Weaver is 2-1 with a 3.41 earned-run average at Salt Lake, with five walks and 38 strikeouts in 29 innings. In his last appearance, he struck out 12 in six innings.

The Angels selected him from Long Beach State in the first round of the June 2004 draft and signed him 11 months later, for a club-record $4-million bonus. Weaver, a 23-year-old right-hander, has made seven appearances in Class A, eight at double A and five at triple A.

Colon played catch Monday and Tuesday but is expected to be out several more weeks.

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Howie Kendrick is working out at first base and third base, and the rookie could get some playing time at those positions if the Angels’ offensive slumber continues.

“This guy can swing the bat,” Scioscia said. “If we need some offense, he’s a guy we’re very confident in.”

Kendrick, a second baseman, was batting .386 at Salt Lake when the Angels promoted him last week. But incumbent second baseman Adam Kennedy is one of the Angels’ few consistent hitters, and infield coach Alfredo Griffin said Kendrick would be adequate at the other positions.

“I can put him at first and third,” Griffin said. “I’m not afraid.”

Scioscia said the Angels are trying to find spots for Kendrick and improve their offense this year, not turn him into the second coming of Chone Figgins. Kendrick said he hopes his future remains at second base but would play anywhere to get into the lineup.

“Things happen every day in baseball,” he said. “One day I might be an outfielder. I’m open to moving anywhere.”

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Outfielder Juan Rivera will work out with the Angels’ Class-A Rancho Cucamonga affiliate today and, if all goes well, play for the Quakes on Thursday and perhaps Friday in a brief rehabilitation assignment. He would then rejoin the Angels in Toronto this weekend, Scioscia said. Rivera has not played since April 16 because of a strained rib cage. ... Center fielder Darin Erstad sat out his second consecutive game because of irritation in his right ankle, triggered by a bone spur. Erstad sat out eight days when the bone spur last irritated the ankle, in spring training, but Scioscia said he hoped Erstad could return “in the next day or two.”