ANGELS NOTEBOOK: WEAVER NOT ON MOUND YET.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jered Weaver did not throw from a mound on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers Thursday, and the day of his first bullpen session remains in question.

Weaver, who dealt with a bout of biceps tendinitis lastseason that delayed his first start of the second half, came into camp behind schedule. After throwing a combined 200 innings between the minor and major leagues last season, Weaver notified the Angels in the winter that his shoulder needed a break.

Weaver didn't begin throwing until recently, leaving him unable to extend himself in the early days of camp.

"He's feeling good and getting there, but there is no need for him to be on the mound right now," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll see where he is and hopefully get him on the mound shortly."

It could be that Weaver's holdout year of 2004 has finally caught up with him. He pitched just 76 competitive innings at two minor-league levels in 2005. Then came 77 innings at Triple-A Salt Lake last year and 123 with the Angels.

Light work: Bartolo Colon and Francisco Rodriguez were the only other pitchers limited to long toss Thursday. Colon appears at least three weeks away from taking a mound, while Rodriguez got in some innings in winter ball in December.

"Frankie just wants to stretch it out," Scioscia said. "There's no need for him to get on a mound. We'll get a better indication from guys when they get their long toss going."

Rodriguez said he plan to continue playing winter ball.

"To me it is because it helps me to come into spring training in pretty good shape," said Rodriguez, who expects to throw a bullpen session this weekend. "My arm is feeling better. To me, it also means a lot because my family gets a chance to see me play there and at the same time it gives me a little work to get my arm in shape."

Roster issues: Scioscia said he is set on an 11-man pitching staff and is unlikely to carry three catchers into the season.

One of the more interesting battles of the spring will be for the final bullpen spot. After the five starters, the bullpen seems set in five of six spots with Darren Oliver, Hector Carrasco, Justin Speier, Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez.

Scioscia isn't leaving many pitchers out of the mix for the final spot on the staff. He said Dustin Moseley, Chris Resop, Phil Seibel, Chris Bootcheck, Greg Jones and Matt Hensley are all in the mix to break camp with the team.

As for the catchers, carrying three does not seem to give Scioscia enough flexibility.

"Three is probably a long shot although there are a couple things that can help us with three," Scioscia said. "Most likely it's going to be two."

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