March 14--REPORTING FROM TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson has suffered another setback in his return from a sore shoulder, throwing his status for the first month or two of the regular season in question.
Wilson, who underwent season-ending surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow in August, experienced more discomfort in his shoulder after throwing off a bullpen mound for the second time in three days Saturday.
He will be relegated to playing catch, and no date has been set for his next bullpen session, Manager Mike Scioscia said Monday. Wilson, who will open the season on the disabled list, has not appeared in an exhibition game or faced hitters in a live batting practice session this spring.
"We backed him off a mound until he's ready to take the next step," Scioscia said. "He's coming along a little slower. He'll be ready when he's ready."
Wilson is in the final year of a five-year, $77.5-million contract that will pay him $20 million this season.
With Tyler Skaggs, who has been slowed in his return from reconstructive elbow surgery, opening on the disabled list and Jered Weaver, who has been slowed by neck stiffness, probably starting on the DL, the Angels will open the season with a rotation of Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, Hector Santiago, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano.
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