Angels to face ex-teammate Ervin Santana for first time tonight

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ervin Santana will make his first-ever start against the Angels on Thursday night when the Kansas City Royals right-hander faces his ex-teammates in Kauffman Stadium.

Santana spent the first eight years of his big league career in Anaheim, going 96-80 with a 4.27 earned-run average in 244 games, including a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 2011.

But when it became clear the Angels had no interest in exercising Santana’s $13-million option for 2013, he was traded to the Royals for reliever Brandon Sisk and $1 million in cash.

Santana is 3-3 with a 2.77 ERA in his first eight starts for Kansas City, striking out 44 and walking nine in 55 1/3 innings. He went 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA and allowed a major league-high 39 homers for the Angels last season.

“He certainly made some footprints here, he was an All-Star pitcher, and like any pitcher who’s been here for a long time, it’s always strange to see him in a different uniform and a different color,� Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “But I’m sure his stuff will be the same.�

Could the Angels’ familiarity with Santana be an advantage for them?

“Guys know his tendencies,� Scioscia said, “but until you get in the batter’s box and see his arm angle and release point, you’re not really going to get a feel for him.�

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