Lackey out until May

John Lackey will miss at least the first six weeks of the season with strained triceps. This comes on top of Kelvim Escobar being out for a month too — meaning the Angels’ top two starters won’t be healthy to start the season.

This is bad news, but not devastating. While I’d prefer Lackey and Escobar be healthy, the Angels do have a lot of pitching depth and still have a decent rotation.

Likely opening day rotation:

1. Jered Weaver
2. Jon Garland
3. Ervin Santana
4. Joe Saunders
5. Dustin Moseley/Nick Adenhart/?

Not great, but not terrible either. As Halos Heaven points out, the bright side to this is we get to see what the other pitchers at the end of the rotation are capable of. Can Ervin finally live up to his billing? Can Saunders repeat the success he had last season? Is Nick Adenhart ready for the majors? (If not, Moseley will be a decent 5th starter like he was when necessary last year.)

That Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland trade looks even better now. This rotation would be much shakier without him.

As long as Lackey and Escobar aren’t out longer than has been reported, the Angels should be fine. Though it will be weird seeing the Angels throw Jered Weaver as their opening day starter.