Jered Weaver Suspended Six Games for Near Beheading

Jered Weaver has been reprimanded for throwing a pitch in the vicinity of Alex Avila's head during Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

The Los Angeles Angels righty was suspended six games for the brushback and fined an undisclosed amount while his manager, Mike Scioscia has to sit out one game for losing his temper. The two were ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning after home plate umpire Henry Wendelstedt had issued warnings to both teams.

It all started right after Carlos Guillen showboated his second home run of the season. Good job on those two bombs, by the way. The next pitch Weaver tossed sailed just over Avila’s noggin.

Jered Weaver Exits After Three Innings

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver left after just three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon due to tightness in his lower back.

He allowed three runs on five hits, including a two-run shot to Albert Pujols in the third. He was checked out by a trainer before getting Juan Encarnacion to ground out and end the inning.

After missing all of spring training and starting the season in the 15-day DL with biceps tendonitis, Weaver is hoping for positive news regarding his back. He is day-to-day.

[USA Today]

LA Angels Hand Out Nine Contracts

The Los Angeles Angels gave contracts to nine players and renewed deals with two others on Friday, including righthander Jered Weaver.

The 24-year-old Weaver won his first nine decisions before a 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox last August, finishing with an 11-2 record and a 2.56 ERA with 105 strikeouts over 19 starts.

Also coming to terms on a new contract was right-hander Ervin Santana, who was 16-8 with a 4.28 ERA with 141 strikeouts in 2006. Over two seasons, he is 28-16 with a 4.42 ERA, averaging 7.99 strikeouts per nine - the American League's second-best mark behind Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.

Left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders, who went 7-3 with a 4.71 ERA last year, was given a new deal, as well.

[Los Angeles Angels]