(AP) — Los Angeles Angels right-hander Garrett Richards is expected to begin pitcher fielding drills in about a week as he makes progress from August knee surgery, and the club remains hopeful he could be pitching in games two to three weeks into the regular season for the reigning AL West champions. Scioscia said that Richards would throw a bullpen session of 40-50 pitches and do some simulated work Sunday to prepare for fully fielding his position, weather permitting with rain forecast all weekend in the Arizona desert. Richards, who has been determined to be ready for the season opener and on the short end of a 6-to-9 month recovery time, went 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 28 starts and 168 2-3 innings last season before he tore a tendon in his left knee Aug.