Angels CF Peter Bourjos confident he’ll return this weekend

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Peter Bourjos, sidelined since last Friday because of a slight right hamstring strain, took batting practice and shagged balls in the outfield during a workout Thursday, and the speedy Angels center fielder is confident he will be able to play this weekend in Oakland.

‘It feels a lot better,’ said Bourjos (pictured at left), who underwent physical therapy during the All-Star break in Arizona. ‘I ran on a treadmill [Wednesday] at about 75%, and it felt good. I definitely don’t want to go on the disabled list. I feel like I can play this weekend at some point.’

The Angels resume play Friday night in Oakland. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday and finish the series Sunday. Manager Mike Scioscia said he probably wouldn’t decide until Friday afternoon whether Bourjos will return to the lineup this weekend.

Meanwhile, reliever Fernando Rodney, sidelined for more than a month because of an upper-back strain, completed a full bullpen workout Thursday and probably will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

The rotation coming out of the break has been set: Dan Haren will pitch Friday night, Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana will pitch Saturday, and Joel Pineiro will start Sunday. After an off day Monday, Tyler Chatwood, who is scheduled to pitch in a triple-A game Thursday night, will be activated to start Tuesday night against Texas at Angel Stadium.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna