Escobar Chose a Risky Path

Had he elected to have surgery to shave down the bone spur in his pitching elbow last week, Kelvim Escobar could have returned by mid-August, unencumbered by the troublesome condition that has nagged him all season.

By opting for a cortisone shot, anti-inflammatory medication and strengthening exercises, Escobar acknowledges he has chosen a risky path that could further jeopardize the right-hander’s season.

Escobar’s third stint on the disabled list could sideline him until early July, perhaps even until the All-Star break. “I’m definitely going to need more than two weeks off, because we want to be very careful with this,” he said Monday.

As part of the process, Escobar played catch for 10 minutes Monday

Say Escobar returns by mid-July, makes two or three starts and has another setback. At that point, he would probably undergo surgery that could sideline him until mid- to late September, perhaps the rest of season.

“That’s why this was such a tough decision,” said Escobar, whose replacement, Ervin Santana, was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake on Monday night. “It’s going to take longer to get back out there, and if I have a setback I’ll be out even longer. The last thing I want is to have surgery, but at that point, I’ll have run out of options.

“I don’t want to think about it. I want to stay positive. It’s tough, because I’m human, but I’m trying to tell myself things are going to be OK.”

*

Cuban defector Kendry Morales was promoted from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he hit .360 (31 for 86) with five home runs, 17 runs batted in and 18 runs in 21 games, to double-A Arkansas.

Manager Mike Scioscia said reports on the 21-year-old switch-hitter have been “glowing,” and General Manager Bill Stoneman has been impressed with the “good hands” Morales has shown at first base and third base.

But it’s the sweet, powerful swing that earned Morales a six-year contract, and if the Angels continue to get little production out of the designated hitter spot, and if Morales shows he can handle double-A and then triple-A pitching, there’s a chance Morales could join the Angels late this summer.

“It’s too early to answer that question,” Stoneman said, when asked whether Morales could help the Angels this year.

“But it looked like he was ready for a tougher challenge. Let’s see how he does at double-A.”

*

There was one benefit to Francisco Rodriguez going to the DL because of a forearm strain in May -- the closer, more concerned about his long-term health, told the Angels he would give up pitching winter ball in his native Venezuela, a decision that put Rodriguez at odds with Stoneman and Scioscia the last two winters. “It’s a good move at this stage of his career because of what his workload in the major leagues will be,” Scioscia said.... Vladimir Guerrero is the third-leading All-Star vote-getter among American League outfielders behind Boston’s Manny Ramirez and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki. Garret Anderson ranks 12th.... To make room for Santana, the Angels optioned Casey Kotchman to triple-A Salt Lake after Monday night’s game.