TEMPE, Ariz.—Tommy Hanson, whose last start was cut short after three innings and 45 pitches because of triceps tightness, will pitch in an intrasquad game at 6 p.m. Monday with a target of six innings and 80 to 90 pitches.
The right-hander was originally scheduled to start Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch, but the Angels wanted to control the number of pitches Hanson throws each inning to ensure he gets enough work to be ready to open the season next week.
“It’s important to get him into some more length and innings,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “If he’s not in a controlled environment, and we make two errors and he has a 37-pitch second inning, that could set him way back considering he went only three innings in his last game.”
Jered Weaver remains on track to start Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Angels will use Wednesday’s Cactus League finale against the Texas Rangers to give most of their front-line relievers — Ernesto Frieri, Kevin Jepsen and Sean Burnett, among others — work.