Jered Weaver back Wednesday

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ANAHEIM -- The Los Angeles Angels have the best ERA in the American League and they're about to get their ace back.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia announced Monday that Jered Weaver will return to the rotation Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. Weaver has been out since May 28 with a lower-back strain.

"We're going to monitor Weave and probably limit him to the 80- to 90-pitch range," Scioscia said. "We could probably have pushed it a little further, but we want to just get him back out there and ease him in."

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Weaver, 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA, started last season's All-Star Game for the American League and was off to a strong start in 2012 before feeling a sharp pain in his lower back while pitching the first inning against the New York Yankees.

While Weaver was out, rookie Garrett Richards stepped in and went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA. The Angels' team ERA is 3.46 and their starters lead the league in innings pitched. Entering Monday, the Angels had scored just 11 runs in their previous six games and won four of them.

"I've been preparing for a start someday," Weaver said. "It's been a trying little trek here obviously. It's exciting to know I'm close."

Weaver threw a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins May 2, one of five no-hitters in the major leagues this season.

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Mark Saxon

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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Mark Saxon is a staff writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. He spent six years at the Orange County Register, and began his career at the Oakland Tribune, where he started an 11-year journey covering Major League Baseball. He has also covered colleges, including USC football and UCLA basketball.