STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Angels starter C.J. Wilson was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a right ankle sprain, providing an extended break that could be beneficial for the struggling left-hander.
The move came a day after Wilson allowed six runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings against Toronto. He has given up 19 runs and 31 hits over 16 2-3 innings his past four starts.
“I think C.J. has been kind of really banging his head against the wall trying to get back to where he knows he can be,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “And maybe just by exhaling a little bit and getting a little different perspective, he can get to that result a little quicker, and he will. He’s too good of a pitcher not to find it.”
Wilson rolled his ankle and was noticeably limping at one point before coming out of Wednesday’s game that the Angels won 8-7.
Scioscia said the ankle is not the cause of the pitcher’s recent struggles. Wilson, who wasn’t with the team in Texas, said after Wednesday’s game that his issues on the mound weren’t because of any physical problems.
Wilson (8-6, 4.33 ERA) last won June 24 against Minnesota, when he allowed six runs in five innings of an 8-6 victory. He has had three consecutive no-decisions since, the longest outing in that span being 4 1-3 innings.
It is Wilson’s first trip to the disabled list since becoming a starter in 2010 while still with the Rangers. He has failed to pitch more than five innings in four consecutive starts for the first time.
The Angels recalled right-hander Cory Rasmus from Triple-A Salt Lake and selected the contract of righty Drew Rucinski from Double-A Arkansas. Right-hander Cam Bedrosian, one of their top prospects, was optioned to Arkansas after an 11.57 ERA in eight appearances, and left-hander Nick Maronde was designated for assignment.
Wilson is eligible to return from the DL on July 25.
“He’s going to be out for at least a couple of weeks,” Scioscia said. “With the (All-Star) break coming up, hopefully it will just mean missing one or two starts at the most.”
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