Say what you want about former Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson, who became the butt of a lot of jokes and reached enemy status when he joined the Los Angeles Angels via free agency following the 2011 season, but you have to give the guy credit for his durability.
Now, Wilson is headed to the disabled list for the first time since he became a starting pitcher for the Rangers prior to the 2010 season after offering a mixed bag as a reliever. In turn, Wilson became a very good starter and was the ace of the Rangers' 2010 staff, even after the acquisition of Cliff Lee, who didn't really get into his groove until the postseason.
The Angels placed Wilson on the 15-day DL on Thursday as the former Ranger didn't even make the trip to Arlington after a bad outing on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Wilson rolled his ankle and was limping afterward before being pulled in the fourth inning. After a good start to the season, Wilson has struggled over the last month, allowing 19 runs on 31 hits in 16 2/3 innings during those four starts.
"I think C.J. has been kind of really banging his head against the wall trying to get back to where he knows he can be," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "And maybe just by exhaling a little bit and getting a little different perspective, he can get to that result a little quicker, and he will. He's too good of a pitcher not to find it."
