News
All's quiet on Lackey extension front
Angels GM Reagins leaving door open for negotiations
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
04/08/09 12:20 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Angels general manager Tony Reagins said on Tuesday night "there is nothing new" in contract negotiations with ace John Lackey. On the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm, Lackey said on Monday that he was open to extending talks after originally saying he did not want to be involved in negotiations during the season. His reasoning is that his season hasn't begun. Lackey has begun playing catch and was undergoing treatment before Tuesday night's game, the Angels having shut out the A's, 3-0, in Monday's opener. He is expected to be out until May. "We never shut the door," Reagins said, adding that Lackey's self-imposed deadline for getting something done by Opening Day "was not a factor from our point of view." Lackey's $10 million option for 2009 was exercised by the club after he made 24 starts in 2008, losing the first six weeks of the season with a strained right triceps. He was 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA. He is 91-63 lifetime with a 3.81 ERA in 207 career appearances, all but one as a starter. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Lackey "could come quickly" in his rehab after having built arm strength in Spring Training before the right forearm strain surfaced on March 22 during a 90-pitch effort against the Royals in Surprise, Ariz. Lackey, thinking he might be pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, began his winter workout program in earnest sooner than usual, reporting to camp in mid-February in excellent condition.Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
