Angels manager Mike Scioscia stated on Sunday that pitcher Garrett Richards will likely miss the first 2-3 weeks of the regular season.
Garrett Richards will throw a bullpen and do simulated PFP in OF today. #Angels expecting him ready 2-3 wks into season.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 1, 2015Richards is recovering from October knee surgery, and is expected to start pitcher fielding drills next week. The Angels were hopeful their young star would be ready for the start of the season, but Scioscia conceded he's likely going to start the season on the disabled list.
"It's not going to be Opening Day, let's put it that way," Scioscia said Sunday. "He knows it, and it's great that he's not going to be able to rush it because our medical staff's not going to let him.
"There's a progression. He has to pass every plateau. It's great that he's going to shoot for being ready. He's working very hard to be ready Opening Day, but he's not going to be ready Opening Day."
Richards, 26, received a $3.2 million, one-year contract early last month to avoid salary arbitration. Last season, he went 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA and 164 strikeouts.