ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SANTANA COULD GO IN BOSTON.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- The Angels have an upcoming doubleheader with Ervin Santana's name written all over it.

Because of a rained-out game against the Boston Red Sox in April, the Angels will have a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park on Friday. Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels will indeed beef up their pitching staff to get through the day, but didn't specify if a starter or a reliever will be recalled.

"We'll want some pitching coverage," Scioscia said. "We're playing three games within two days so we'll certainly want some coverage on the pitching side."

If a reliever is recalled, Chris Bootcheck would likely get the call to start one of the two games. If the Angels grab a starter from Triple-A Salt Lake, though, Santana could be the guy.

One key for the recently demoted right-hander would be how he handles his next start on Sunday against Portland (the Padres' affiliate).

Santana started Monday against Round Rock (Houston affiliate) and gave up just two earned runs in seven innings with 10 strikeouts.

Back-to-back solid outings could point to a promotion. He is 1-1 at Salt Lake this season in four starts with a 5.13 ERA.

The biggest drawback for recalling Santana is the fact that the doubleheader is on the road. Santana was awful in starts away from home with the Angels earlier this season, going 1-9 with an 8.97 ERA in 11 such outings.

In a start at Boston earlier this year, Santana gave up seven runs (five earned) in just four innings.

Colon update: Bartolo Colon had his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list with right elbow irritation July 24. Colon threw 15 pitches from a mound, all fastballs.

"The ball came out of his hand real good," pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "He was finishing his pitches real well. Overall, I was happy."

Butcher added that Colon might need at least three of four bullpen sessions before the Angels think about sending him out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. The next bullpen session is set for Sunday.

"I feel like he will be back this year," Butcher said. "It depends on how he gets through all these little hoops here that we have to jump though. But I think for sure this year he will be part of this team."

Although Colon has admitted to pitching with some form of discomfort for most of the season, Butcher is confident Colon can finish off the season pain free.

Kendrick update: Howie Kendrick had his fractured left index finger examined Friday and was cleared to continue his rehab. Kendrick has been on the disabled list since July 14, retroactive to July 9.

"I'm just trying to swing and get back in shape and go out there running and everything to get my body in shape," Kendrick said. "For the most part it's all about getting reps in getting the swings in and whenever they tell me to go, I'll go to rehab and I'll be back here as soon as possible."

Scioscia said a minor-league rehab assignment for Kendrick could start as early as Monday and he was pleased that Kendrick swung the bat well in early batting practice.

Kendrick could be back on the major-league roster for the start of the next homestand against the New York Yankees on Aug. 20.