Angels starter Lackey to miss at least a month

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Los Angeles Angels starter John Lackey is expected to be sidelined for at least a month with a strained right triceps, the club said on Saturday.

Lackey, 29, went 19-9 with a league-leading 3.01 earned run average last year.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander, who had not missed a regular season start because of injury since breaking into the rotation in 2002, will sit out for three to four weeks before being reevaluated.

"I'm going to do everything I can to get back as soon as I can," Lackey told Major League Baseball's official Web site (mlb.com).

"I'll be a little bit cautious. They'll be pulling me back a little slower than I want to go."

The Angels, widely regarded as the pre-season favorites in the American League West, will open defense of their division title without their top two starters.

Kelvim Escobar has been sidelined by shoulder inflammation. The Venezuelan righty was 18-7 with a 3.40 ERA last season.

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Peter Rutherford)