Colon to start for Quakes

Bartolo Colon will start on opening day after all -- for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, that is.

Colon, the Angels’ opening-day starter in each of the last three seasons, will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment by starting in the Quakes’ season opener Thursday, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. Jered Weaver will start for the Quakes on Friday.

Colon could rejoin the Angels’ starting rotation as soon as April 20. He is expected to make three or four rehabilitation starts, Scioscia said, in what the Angels hope will complete his recovery from the rotator cuff tear he suffered last season.

Weaver is scheduled to rejoin the Angels’ rotation April 16, after two rehabilitation starts. He is recovering from biceps tendinitis.

The Quakes play at home Thursday and Friday. Scioscia said the remaining minor league starts for Colon and Weaver could be dictated by weather -- for triple-A Salt Lake if the Bees are playing in a warm-weather site, for Rancho Cucamonga otherwise.

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The Angels awarded the final spots on their roster to reliever Chris Bootcheck, infielder Erick Aybar and outfielders Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits. Bootcheck, a first-round draft choice seven years ago, made the Angels’ opening-day roster for the first time.

With Maicer Izturis playing third base in place of the injured Chone Figgins, the Angels kept Aybar as a backup for shortstop Orlando Cabrera. The Angels’ bench of Aybar, Murphy, Willits, Robb Quinlan and Jose Molina has 35 career home runs, 19 from Quinlan and 15 from Molina.

The Angels optioned infielder Kendry Morales, outfielder Nick Gorneault, catcher Jeff Mathis and reliever Chris Resop to Salt Lake.

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Dallas McPherson said his recovery from January back surgery is progressing nicely. He said he could return late this season “in a perfect world,” but not at the expense of rushing his rehabilitation program.

McPherson hit 40 home runs in the minor leagues in 2004, prompting the Angels to let Troy Glaus go as a free agent and install McPherson as their third baseman. But hip and back injuries derailed his 2005 and 2006 seasons, and the Angels now are grooming Brandon Wood as their long-term third baseman.

McPherson also plays first base, where the Angels appear stocked with Morales and Casey Kotchman.

“I just have to worry about making sure my back is healthy,” McPherson said.

“I’m pretty sure I can play at this level if I’m healthy. I can’t worry about who’s moving to third base or who’s moving to first base.

“I’m sure there will be a place for me. Hopefully, it’s here.”

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com