C.J. Wilson has setback, early season status in question

C.J. Wilson, current Anaheim Angels starter and former Texas Rangers pitcher, has suffered another setback in his return from the elbow surgery that ended his 2015 season, according to Mike DiGiovanna.

Wilson will be limited to playing catch for the time being, and DiGiovanna says that Wilson's status for "the first month or two" of the season is "in question."

This is a big year for the 35 year old lefty, as he's in the final season of a 5 year, $77.5M contract, and was expected to be one of the top starting pitchers available in a thin free agent market.  Wilson has been a mild disappointment for the Angels, putting up an aggregate 5.2 bWAR (7.4 fWAR) since joining the team, with only his 2013 campaign matching what Anaheim was likely expecting from him.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Jered Weaver is topping out at around 80 mph this spring, and is seeing a back specialist this week about a spine condition that DiGiovanna says will likely put him on the d.l. to start the season.  This leaves the Angels with a rotation (projected by DiGiovanna) of Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, Hector Santiago, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano to start the year.