Former pitcher turned Angels broadcaster Mark Gubicza was impressed Saturday as he watched Jered Weaver and Bartolo Colon throw in the bullpen at the same time. Having been on the recovery trail himself, Gubicza said it was a good sign that both pitchers were not stalling for time between pitches. He said that is a sure sign a recovering pitcher is feeling discomfort. And like everybody else, Gubicza was impressed with Colon’s velocity, even before he pitched to hitters moments later.

After watching Bartolo Colon throw his 50-pitch bullpen session on a lower field, Scot Shields came away impressed. “He’s ready for Opening Day,” Shields joked. “I’ll go tell John (Lackey).”
Lackey, of course, will be the actual starter for the Angels on Opening Day next Monday against the Texas Rangers. Colon’s bullpen session did show that he should be on target for an early May return. Colon had impressive velocity and did not appear to be in any discomfort. He had Nick Gorneault, Kendry Morales and Curtis Pride off balance in the batter’s box a number of times.
Shields, always the joker, wasn’t done was his facetious assessment of Colon’s Opening Day chances. “He might only give us three (innings) but it will be a good three.”

A sign the season is getting close came when John Lackey threw mostly fastballs and changeups against the division rival Seattle Mariners. Not only that, Lackey won’t even bother facing the Oakland Athletics in his last spring start Wednesday. He will pitch in a minor-league game instead.
Lackey’s limited arsenal led to predictable results. He gave up nine runs on 10 hits in four innings to the Mariners, including two home runs. Afterward, he admitted that he didn’t want to give too much away, but he also confessed that his command was not what it had been in previous starts.
Lackey entered the start with an impressive 0.73 ERA in three spring outings. It stands at 5.51 now, not that the the right-hander is going to worry about it.
Last time you guys were telling me I was peaking too quick, now you’re concerned? Lackey said. Come on guys.

With some internet connection issues resolved now that I’m home, here is the Chone Figgins update:

By Doug Padilla
Staff Writer

PEORIA, Ariz. The medical update on Chone Figgins was worse than expected Friday as the projected Opening Day third baseman has not one but two broken fingers on his right hand.
The injury occurred in Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Arizona Diamondbacks as Figgins misplayed a ground ball by Conor Jackson. He was given an error on the play.
Doctors in Tempe on Thursday found a fractured bone at the tip of Figgins’ right middle finger. Figgins was re-examined at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Southern California on Friday where more X-rays were taken. Not only was the fracture near the first knuckle of his middle finger confirmed, but another fracture was visible at the same spot at his index finger.
Figgins will be required to wear a splint for three weeks until he is examined again. He is expected to be out of action for five to six weeks, meaning he isn’t likely to return until the start of May.
Manager Mike Scioscia was given the update on Figgins moments after the Mariners had defeated the Angels 10-6.
Let’s just digest this first, said Scioscia, when asked about Maicer Izturis and Robb Quinlan as the replacements at third base. We’re going to have to get guys to chip in and play there. We’ll see how it unfolds.
For the second consecutive season, Figgins was expecting to start the bulk of games at third. That plan was halted last season when Figgins had to move to center field because of injuries to Darin Erstad.
With the progress Chone showed (Thursday), he felt he was going to be fine so this is disappointing, Scioscia said. But I know he will be back as early as he can and be ready to go.
Izturis handled the bulk of the playing time at third base last season with 78 starts and would seem likely to get the call for Opening Day if the Angels don’t make some kind of trade first.
There is no way to rush this but I just know Chone and know he will stay in shape and be ready to go and hopefully be productive right out of the box, Scioscia said.