Allen happy with results, keeps building velo

ANAHEIM -- Closer Cody Allen has gotten off to a solid start, with three scoreless innings to open his first season with the Angels, including picking up his first save in Friday’s 3-1 win over the Rangers.

Allen, who signed a one-year deal worth $8.5 million in the offseason, pitched consecutive scoreless outings against Texas on Thursday and Friday, making him unavailable on Saturday. But Allen has been satisfied with his results so far, and he has seen his velocity creep up since his first appearance on March 29.

"The results right now are great, but I'll continue to put the work in,” Allen said. “It's one week of the season -- I wouldn't get excited or too upset about anything at this point. Just keep getting ready and going and competing."

Allen’s average fastball velocity has increased from 91.5 mph in his first outing to 92.1 mph on Friday, but is still slightly below last year's 93.5 mph average. Allen, though, said he’s been working with pitching coach Doug White and bullpen coach Andrew Bailey on his mechanics and that he’ll build more strength as the season goes along.

"I feel like we've put in a lot of good work,” Allen said. “I feel like I'm in a good spot and can make pitches. Obviously, everyone in here can speak to wanting to get better and progress, but it comes in due time. So Doug, Bails and myself, we've got some really good work in to this point and we'll continue to work as we go."

Cole encouraged by rehab outing

Reliever Taylor Cole, on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, made his first rehab appearance with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Friday, allowing three runs on four hits while recording two outs. But despite the results, he was still encouraged by the way he felt physically, as it was his first outing since pitching in Spring Training on March 7.

“The results weren't there,” Cole said. “But I felt fine. For me, it was important to go out there and get my strength back. But yeah, you always want to compete. That's the thing. There's different layers. You want to feel good, but you want to be there pitchability-wise so that when I'm ready to come back here, I'm at my best.”

Cole, who posted a 2.75 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 36 innings as a rookie last year, is scheduled to throw two innings with Inland Empire on Sunday. He said he’ll make one or two more appearances after that before the Angels decide where he’ll go. He can still be optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake, as he has Minor League options remaining.

"It's about taking those things I learned from that first outing into tomorrow," Cole said. "I was able to throw my slider and change-up pain-free. I was able to let it go. It didn't hurt at extension, so that was a positive for me. And I was in the strike zone a lot. It wasn't like I was sporadic; I was probably just in the strike zone too much. A lot of those guys will be future big leaguers. They can hit. I need to make sure I execute. Regardless of what level it is, you don't want to give up runs. For me, you want to compete."