Heaney looked strong in his first outing at Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out eight without allowing a walk. Heaney's rough spring resulted in the 23-year-old being sent to the minors to open the year, but he may not stay there long if he continues these types of performances. Drew Rucinski will act as the team's fifth starter Tuesday against the Rangers, and while it's not clear what will happen with the spot after the contest, Heaney is likely still a prime candidate to join the rotation at some point this season.

Heaney was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. It was announced last week that Heaney would start the season at Salt Lake, as the Angels will not need a fifth starter until April 14. The 23-year-old did not have the best spring while auditioning for a rotation spot, as he allowed 19 earned runs in 34.2 innings, but he was able to finish strong, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings against the Dodgers on the night of his departure. Despite the rough Cactus League showing, Heaney could still be a favorite to end up in the rotation, as he boasts a strong minor league resume, and was acquired for a very productive player in second baseman Howie Kendrick.

The Angels will "most likely" open the season with a four-man rotation, which could mean that Heaney will begin the season in the minor leagues, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. The Angels don't need a fifth starter until their eighth game of the season April 14 against the Rangers, so the team could decide to go with a rotation of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Matt Shoemaker and Hector Santiago for the first week of the season. There is no word on who the fifth starter will be at this time, but it may not be Garrett Richards (knee) as the team has stressed they want to make sure he is 100 percent healthy before he steps on the field.

Heaney struggled again Tuesday in a Cactus League outing against the Rangers, allowing four runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. Henaey appeared to have righted the ship Tuesday, as he had allowed just one run through four innings before allowing two homers in the fifth. Heaney is still expected to begin the season as a member of the starting rotation, but he may have left the door open for Nick Tropeano with his poor play this spring.

Heaney will start in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Heaney will draw the start in the official contest for the second time in as many rotations, while Nick Tropeano once again pitches in the "B" game. Heaney came into spring training with Tropeano as his primary competitor for a spot in the starting five, and while no decision has been announced, it seems as though the 23-year-old is on track to take the spot.

Heaney was hit hard in a Cactus League outing against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings. That's two straight clunkers this spring for Heaney, who has now allowed nine runs in 9.1 innings as he competes for a spot in the rotation. It's worth noting that Nick Tropeano pitched the backfield game Thursday, which could be an indication that Heaney will get the nod over the 24-her-old to begin the season. Despite the rough outing, manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com that he liked the way Heaney pitched after the second inning, when he allowed five runs. It's worth noting that Nick Tropeano pitched the backfield game Thursday, which could be an indication that Heaney will get the nod over the 24-year-old to begin the season.

Heaney allowed one run on one hit while walking two and striking out three in a start against the Reds on Monday. It may not have been quite the Angels' debut he was hoping for, but the three strikeouts (including one to Joey Votto) will likely be seen as a major positive for his first spring start. Heaney could have some room to breathe going forward, as his primary competition for a rotation spot, Nick Tropeano, got hammered in a relief appearance, allowing three runs (two home runs) on three hits in three innings.

Heaney will compete with Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano for the final spot in the Angels' rotation, the team's official site reports. Upon acquiring Heaney from the Dodgers in December, general manager Jerry Dipoto has been effusive in his praise of the young left-hander. While he'll have to earn the job this spring, Heaney may be the early favorite as he offers more long-term upside than Santiago and Tropeano, and he has little left to prove at the Triple-A level. With Garrett Richards recovering from knee surgery, the Angels may be able to keep two of their three competing arms in the rotation to open the year.

Heaney has been traded to the Angels as part of a deal for Howie Kendrick, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal has confirmed. Undoubtedly, this is a tough break for any Dodger fans who plunked down cash for a Heaney jersey Wednesday evening after he was acquired by the Dodgers from the Marlins. Heaney's path to a rotation spot with the Angels is actually clearer, as the Dodgers were finalizing a deal for Brandon McCarthy late Wednesday evening. Heaney has pitched well throughout his ascent through the Marlins' system, and there are some evaluators who believe that he has the potential to become a No. 2 starter.

Heaney has been traded to the Dodgers as part of a deal that will send Dee Gordon to the Marlins, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. There are other players involved in the deal, but the only confirmed parts of the swap at the present time are Gordon and Heaney. The Dodgers will have a controllable young left-handed starter in Heaney, who posted a 91:23 K:BB in 83.2 innings (15 starts) at Triple-A New Orleans (3.87 ERA) and made seven appearances for the Marlins with lesser results (5.83 ERA, 1.33 WHIP). Heaney could presumably slot into the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation, as he has very little left to prove in the minors at this stage of his development.