Angels put lefty Andrew Heaney on DL with arm muscle strain

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Angels placed left-hander Andrew Heaney on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a flexor muscle strain, adding another setback to their rough two-game start to the season.

The Angels were forced to shut down their effective No. 2 starter one day after his season debut. Heaney yielded seven hits and four runs over six innings in the Angels' 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

He complained of tightness in his left forearm afterward, and an MRI exam revealed the strain. The Angels didn't immediately know when Heaney will be able to throw again.

Heaney made a big-league roster on opening day for the first time, and he was primed for a prominent role in Los Angeles' rotation after going 6-4 in 18 starts last season.

Nick Tropeano is likely to come up from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Heaney in the Angels' rotation. He is likely to pitch Monday when they open a 10-game road trip in Oakland.

Los Angeles has several quality starters, but the rotation is in flux due to spring injuries to veterans Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, along with Tyler Skaggs' careful return from elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2014.

Heaney also developed a bloody nose after his first pitch of the second inning, returning to the mound with gauze in his nose. He recovered to pitch fairly well, matching his career high with seven strikeouts, but had declining velocity as his start went on.

The Angels were outclassed for the second straight day by the powerhouse Cubs, who won the opener 9-0.

Los Angeles has a day off Wednesday before opening a four-game series against defending AL West champion Texas with left-hander Hector Santiago on the mound.