Angels might use Jered Weaver on short rest in ALDS

The Angels are considering whether to use ace Jered Weaver on short rest in the first round of the American League playoffs.

“It’s always something you consider in a shorter series,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday.

The Dodgers made that move with ace Clayton Kershaw in last year’s National League division series. Kershaw won the NLDS clincher against the Atlanta Braves, then lost both of his NL Championship Series starts against the St. Louis Cardinals, by scores of 1-0 and 9-0.

The Angels currently have three healthy starters -- Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Hector Santiago. Matt Shoemaker (strained oblique) said Friday he is improving and expects to be ready for the playoffs, if not for the end of the regular season.

Scioscia said the Angels would consider using three starters in the first round even if Shoemaker is healthy.

Weaver has pitched on three days’ rest twice in his career, and not in the last three years. On Aug. 28, 2011, he gave up seven runs in six innings to the Texas Rangers. On Sept. 18 of that year, he gave up two runs in six innings to the Baltimore Orioles.

After the Angels clinched the AL West on Wednesday, they adjusted their rotation so Weaver would line up for Game 1 of the division series. As a result, he will make his final two starts of the regular season and his first playoff start on extra rest. However, Scioscia said he did not know if that would help should Weaver start a playoff game on short rest.

“I don’t know if you can bank rest,” Scioscia said.