CIRCLE THESE DATES

* April 16: Not only is Jered Weaver scheduled to return, the 10 a.m. EDT Patriots Day game in Fenway Park will mark the earliest starting time in the Angels’ 47-year history. For the Angels, it will be the equivalent of a 7 a.m. start. “I’ll have to set a couple of alarms,” Weaver said. The Angels are still working on marketing tie-ins for their morning drive-time broadcast in Southern California -- how about a one-day promotion with Denny’s restaurant, makers of the Grand Slam breakfast?

* April 20: Seattle’s Jose Guillen returns to Anaheim for the first time since June 2005, when the former Washington outfielder called Angels Manager Mike Scioscia “a piece of garbage.” Guillen, a key slugger on the 2004 Angels, is still fuming about being suspended for the final eight regular-season games and the playoffs for his on-field tantrum and clubhouse altercation with Scioscia after being pulled for a pinch-runner. “Nineteen games against the Angels? Whew. Fire!” Guillen said this spring. “Oh my God, it’s going to be crazy.”

* May 22-27: A six-game trip through Detroit and New York should be an excellent early-season barometer of the Angels’ pennant chances. Even without injured left-hander Kenny Rogers, Detroit has one of baseball’s best rotations, and has boosted its offense with DH Gary Sheffield. The Yankees, with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi, are a challenge for any pitching staff.

-- MIKE DIGIOVANNA