Angels’ Jered Weaver has a top-10 reason to appear on David Letterman’s show

MINNEAPOLIS — As a reward for last week’s no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins, Jered Weaver took part in one of his favorite shows Tuesday night, presenting the top-10 list on CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman.�

“I watch Dave before I go to bed when I’m home, so it’s pretty cool to be on the show,� said Weaver, who filmed the segment at Target Field on Tuesday afternoon.

“As soon as you hear Dave in your earpiece, it’s a little nerve-racking, but it was fun. I had a lot of time to rehearse. They gave me a lot of time to go over the lines. And the teleprompter helped, too.�

The show contacted Major League Baseball about having Weaver on last Thursday, the day after the no-hitter, but canceled when production issues couldn’t be worked out.

Weaver was disappointed, saying he was a “big fan� of the show, so he was glad to oblige when “Late Show� called back Monday and asked him read the “Top 10 signs you’ll never throw a no-hitter.�

The list:

10. You wear a glove on both hands.

9. The altitude of the mound makes you dizzy.

8. You performed your own Tommy John surgery.

7. Your pitches tend to bounce.

6. You spend most of the game sipping cocktails in the players’ wives section.

5. You can only pitch when no one’s watching.

4. Last guy you struck out was Phil Rizzuto.

3. You’re allergic to the rosin.

2. You’re still not sure if you’re a righty or a lefty.

1. Most teams don’t let the mascot pitch.

Weaver said several items were changed at the last minute, including the original No. 1, which was: “You pitch for the Mets.�

“I felt bad,� Weaver said. “I couldn’t say that. I’m glad they changed it.�

Lucky lefty

Scott Downs suffered a bruised right ankle April 12 and a bruised left knee Sunday, but while both injuries put the reliever on crutches, neither sent the left-hander to the disabled list.

Downs was injured in the ninth inning Sunday against Toronto when he corkscrewed out of the way of a J.P. Arencibia line drive. He was replaced by right-hander LaTroy Hawkins, who broke the pinky finger on his right hand fielding a liner and will be out for four to six weeks.

Downs, who sat out only three games after his April injury, fared better at the doctor’s office. An MRI test showed no ligament damage, and Downs should be available to pitch Wednesday.

“I feel lucky to avoid the DL, but I’m using up my nine lives fast,� said Downs, who replaced Jordan Walden as the team’s closer April 27 and converted his first two save opportunities.

“I had the ankle problem, and now the knee, which was a freak thing. My body fell one way, my leg twisted the other, and I couldn’t put any weight on the leg. I can’t explain it, but I’m moving good today, and I don’t feel anything.�

Downs, who has not given up an earned run in 92/3 innings, threw 12 pitches off a bullpen mound Tuesday, not at full strength but with enough stress to know he could pitch in a game.

Downs told Manager Mike Scioscia he was available Tuesday, “but we’ll probably give him another day,� Scioscia said. “As important as he’s been to the bullpen, this is great news.�

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