Angels Place Jered Weaver on the DL

Los Angeles Angels have been playing good baseball of late. If they want to continue doing so, they will have to do it without their ace starter Jered Weaver. Weaver was placed on the 15 day disabled list with a lower back injury. This is Weaver second trip to the DL in his career, having missed three weeks in the 2007 season recovering from tendinitis in his right bicep.

Weaver only threw 12 pitches and faced four batters Monday night against the New York Yankees. He was diagnosed with a lower back strain. Weaver is 6-1 this season with a 2.61 ERA. On May 2 Weaver threw a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins.

Weaver said he is hopeful to return shortly after he is eligible on June 12. ”If we were pushing for a playoff spot, I don’t think we would have gone the disabled list route,” Weaver said. “But we’re early enough in the season that we can rest it and let it get back to 100 percent.”

Apparently, the Angels are not taking any chances with Weaver who has been a workhorse type starter the past five seasons. Weaver joins another ace Roy Halladay who was placed on the DL by the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday as well.