Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney to seek additional medical opinions on injured forearm

Andrew Heaney‘s forearm strain has been so slow to heal that the left-hander will seek additional medical opinions on the injury, which has sidelined him since April 6.

“The healing rate has slowed, and we want to take every precaution with Andrew throughout this process,” the team said in a statement. “At this point, we’re not going to go into details until all of the opinions are collected and processed.”

The Angels sent Heaney for an additional MRI exam Monday after the 24-year-old stopped throwing last week because of continued tightness in his forearm.

Heaney, who had a 3.49 ERA in 18 starts last season and opened 2016 as the No. 2 starter, went to the disabled list because of a flexor muscle strain suffered in his first start. Monday’s MRI showed the same issue as the first.

The Angels would not say how many doctors Heaney would see or whether he would consult with a renowned surgeon such as Dr. James Andrews.

“With any player,” Manager Mike Scioscia said, “there’s a certain amount of concern when there’s an arm issue.”

Is Scioscia more concerned now than he was on Monday?

“I wouldn’t say more concerned,” Scioscia said. “Right now, he’s hit a little bit of a plateau. I don’t think it’s abnormal for a rehab at times to plateau. That’s where he is right now, and hopefully he’ll bust through this and come out on the other side 100%.”

Twitter: @MikeDiGiovanna