"Scott Kazmir, who has spent the last month at the team's extended spring-training camp in search of a consistent delivery and release point, may rejoin the Angels within the next month, but it might not be as a starting pitcher.

Manager Mike Scioscia said the team could bring the left-hander back as a long reliever, even though Kazmir has made only one relief appearance in his 61/2 seasons in the major leagues.

"No doubt, we need starting pitching depth, and we're looking at him as a starter," Scioscia said. "But I wouldn't rule out anything."

Kazmir's future with the Angels could hinge on how 21-year-old right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who has gone 2-2 with a 4.50 earned-run average in eight games as the fifth starter, pitches over the next few weeks.

But a bigger factor will be how Kazmir is throwing the ball. He gave up one hit in 62/3 innings of his final Arizona start on Thursday, but his fastball was clocked at about 88 mph.

"He felt better about his stuff," Scioscia said, "but he still has a ways to go."

Kazmir, on the disabled list because of lower-back soreness, threw a bullpen session in Arizona on Saturday and is scheduled to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Tuesday for triple-A Salt Lake.

"There's not a minimum number of games [to his rehab]," Scioscia said. "But there is a maximum."

From Tuesday, the Angels will have 30 days to either activate or release Kazmir, who went 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA last season and was rocked for five runs and five hits in 12/3 innings of his only start this season, at Kansas City on April 3."