Jered Weaver behind ... but Angels manager says it’s too early to panic

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jered Weaver has increased his long-toss program to 180 feet but appears to be at least two weeks away from throwing off a mound, putting the right-hander behind the other pitchers in camp.

Sound familiar? Weaver reported to spring training in 2007 after a superb rookie season (11-2, 2.56 earned-run average in 2006) with a sore shoulder and drew criticism from some coaches, who felt he didn’t do enough work over the winter to be ready for spring training. Weaver opened that season on the disabled list but still had a solid year, going 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 28 starts. (Full stats below.)

Manager Mike Scioscia downplayed Weaver’s issues, saying, ‘This is something most pitchers go through every year -- adhesions have to be broken up, you have to get your range of motion and strength,’ and he did not question Weaver’s winter preparations.

‘That first spring was a youngster throwing more innings than he ever had the season before and trying to find the balance between rest and getting ready for the season,’ Scioscia said.

‘This is just normal stuff. He needs a little more time to build up arm strength. There is no concern that he won’t be ready for the season.’

-- Mike DiGiovanna