Angels' Freese (finger) not expected to join team within next week

Los Angeles Angels third baseman David Freese (finger) is still not throwing at full strength and is not expected to join the Angels within the next week, Pedro Moura of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

Until the finger presents no further issues in the field, Freese won't be cleared to begin a rehab assignment. An alternative might be for the Angels to allow Freese to serve as the designated hitter for an affiliate during his first couple of games on a minor-league assignment, but manager Mike Scioscia hasn't offered any indication that the organization plans on following that plan.

Freese was expected to miss three weeks of action but Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports with the 32-year-old now out two weeks, he could be out of the lineup for longer. Scioscia added that Freese still cannot grip a ball without discomfort.