Angels’ C.J. Wilson to take some days off after MRI reveals tendinitis

Reporting from TEMPE, Ariz. —  Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson underwent an MRI exam after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session. The exam revealed mild tendinitis in his left shoulder, he said Tuesday, and he will take the next few days off from throwing.

He said it would not affect his timetable in preparing for opening day April 4.

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“It’s fairly normal,” Wilson said Tuesday. “Just like everybody else.”

Wilson had surgery in August to have bone chips and spurs removed from his left elbow. The operation ended his 2015 season, in which he threw 132 innings and was 8-8 with a 3.89 earned-run average.

The Angels are counting on Wilson to be part of their rotation. He is in the final season of a five-year, $77.5-million deal.

“You’re always concerned when a pitcher isn’t quite where he should be, but these little setbacks are not uncommon,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think it’s just a process of C.J. rehabbing his elbow.”

Wilson said that because it was “super early,” he wanted to figure out the source of the shoulder discomfort.

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He recalled an injury last spring when he tweaked a knee during a fielding drill and had to bypass one start in March.

“I still started on time, still threw 100-something pitches in my first start of the season,” he said.

Wilson said a pitcher makes about 45 starts in a season, including spring training and the playoffs. Not making one matters little, he said.

“If I only end up making 44 or 43 or whatever it is and one or two of those is in spring training … if that’s gonna put me at a higher level of performance average, then that’s more valuable,” he said. “We obviously have a lot of depth.”

Twitter: @pedromoura

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