Los Angeles Angels' Garrett Richards opts for injection over operation

Angels ace Garrett Richards opted for a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow as a possible detour away from arm surgery.

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said the decision was made by Richards, who went on the disabled list May 6. It could be several weeks before Richards knows whether the injection was effective.

"Hopefully it's going to be the course of action he needs to heal and get back to action," Scioscia said. "Really he doesn't have many symptoms at all, so I know that he's confident that he'll heal with this course of action."

Richards, 27, is 40-32 with a 3.58 ERA in 148 career games.

Delaying surgery that could be a reality might have devastating ramifications for the Angels. If the injection fails to promote rapid healing in Richards' right elbow, reconstructive surgery would likely put him on the shelf for the rest of the 2016 season and the entire 2017 season.

Left-hander C.J. Wilson is also hurt, and the Angels are trying to spackle their rotation by signing former San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum.

Lincecum is returning from hip surgery and held an audition for more than 20 teams before choosing to sign with the Angels.