Newly acquired Los Angeles Angels pitcher Dan Haren, who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, left his Monday night debut after being hit by a Kevin Youkilis line drive.
Haren underwent X-rays Tuesday, though, and it seems he’ll be able to make his next start.
“The X-rays didn’t show anything. They looked pretty clear so it’s just a matter of getting the soreness and swelling out of there,” Haren said Tuesday before the Angels’ game against the Red Sox. “I got out there and threw from about 150-200 feet today and felt pretty good … so as of now I’d like to think I’ll be good to go on Saturday.”
Haren was told that he narrowly avoided a much serious injury.
“I guess I got lucky,” he said. “Dr. [Lewis] Yokum said that if it had hit an inch lower it would’ve been on the bone and that wouldn’t have been good, obviously. But I’ve never come out of a game in my professional career like I did yesterday. I was really frustrated, but I guess I got lucky too so I can’t be too mad I guess.”
If all goes as planned, the Angels will be taking on the Texas Rangers in Haren’s scheduled start Saturday.