Angels hopeful Garrett Richards can pitch a full 2017 season

ANAHEIM >> Mike Scioscia isn’t even harboring any illusions about pitcher Garrett Richards coming back this year.

Richards, who is waiting to see if stem-cell treatment has worked enough for him to avoid Tommy John surgery, has already been ruled out for the rest of this season, Scioscia said Friday, essentially confirming the obvious.

At this point, the Angels are just hoping Richards can avoid surgery and be 100 percent for a full season in 2017.

Richards has not thrown since he was hurt in late April, so at this point he would be starting from zero. There’s just no time to pitch this season, even if he is cleared to throw at his next appointment, which is Wednesday.

“It takes a full six weeks to get a guy ready to start a major league game (in spring training),” Scioscia said. “That calendar keeps ticking. We’re absolutely not going to rush Garrett.”

Obviously, the Angels’ position in the standings also eliminates any incentive to get him back this season.

Richards has said repeatedly for the last month that he feels normal. Of course, he also hasn’t tested himself much.

Andrew Heaney underwent the same treatment, but apparently didn’t get the results he or the Angels wanted, so he had Tommy John surgery earlier this month.

Richards and Nick Tropeano could still be headed for the same fate. Tropeano is still deciding what to do after receiving a second opinion on Monday that he has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament.

Ramirez impressing

J.C. Ramirez could be working his way into a more prominent role in the Angels bullpen.

Ramirez, a joueyman on his sixth team, has quietly been pitching well for the Angels, posting a 2.25 ERA through his first 16 games. The Angels claimed him on waivers from the Cinciati Reds on June 26.

With both Joe Smith and Huston Street as trade candidates, the Angels bullpen might have a different look next week.

Scioscia said Ramirez, who had a 6.42 ERA before this season, has simplified his delivery under pitching coach Charlie Nagy. Ramirez, 27, also has a fastball around 96-97 mph, one of the few true power pitchers on the staff.

“It’s obvious the big arm he has,” Scioscia said. “He’s been in the zone with everything, with good movement. It’s firm. A good slider. He’s an interesting guy.”

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Infielder Cliff Peington could be activated as soon as Sunday, the first day he is eligible. Peington has been out for nearly two months with a hamstring injury. ... Geovany Soto, who is also eligible on Sunday, said he could be ready, but Scioscia disagreed, saying Soto still has to do some catching work before he can be cleared.