Shields set to return Saturday

Scot Shields' evening in Las Vegas on Thursday did not involve counting cards, more like counting first-pitch strikes.

Shields was in the Angels clubhouse before Friday's home opener beaming about his rehab start for Triple-A Salt Lake in a game played at Vegas. Five first-pitch strikes to all five batters he faced told Shields that he not only feels healthy again but is back on his game.

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list at the start of the season because of tightness in his right forearm. Manager Mike Scioscia said that Shields will be activated today barring any setback from a flat-ground throwing session Friday.

“(Thursday) night I could have pitched at this level with the stuff I had,” said Shields, who struggled to throw first-pitch strikes during spring training. “I could have been successful with the stuff I had (Thursday) night. Hopefully that means I'll be ready to go here soon.”

Originally the Angels had expected to activate Shields by Sunday, but that was when they thought he would have his rehab outing on Friday instead of Thursday.

In his one inning of work against Las Vegas, Shields gave up a double and a single but also struck out the side.

“All the good things you were looking for were there,” manager Mike Scioscia said.

To make room on the roster for Shields, the Angels will likely send down Darren O'Day, Jason Bulger or Rich Thompson. Neither Thompson nor Bulger pitched in the four-game series at Minnesota. O'Day pitched in two games and gave up four hits but didn't allow a run.