"They're not trying very hard," Lackey said when asked about the state of negotiations.

General manager Tony Reagins and Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, have had discussions -- a proposal and counter-proposal were exchanged. But Lackey was unhappy with the Angels' failure to respond to his agent's latest proposal.

"I was supposed to hear and haven't heard all week," Lackey said.

Asked if he was surprised by the Angels' apparent lack of a sense of urgency, the potential free agent said, "I've been surprised by the whole thing."

Lackey has said he is not interested in extending negotiations into the regular season. He reiterated that stance and said he would have to see some progress in the next two weeks in order to be convinced to keep talking beyond April 6.

"Oh, yeah, Opening Day is it," he said. "It's definitely not something I want to see dragging into the season. Then it's about winning and handling my business. I don't want it to affect the team."

Signed to a three-year, $17 million contract extension in April 2006, Lackey is playing for $10 million in the option year of that deal this season. He made it clear the Angels will be getting no hometown discount.

"They got one of those on my last contract," Lackey said. "My performance outweighed my contract last time. This is kind of my turn. They have to convince me."

Lackey is believed to be seeking a deal in excess of the five-year, $82.5 million contract A.J. Burnett signed with the Yankees last winter.

--RHP Kelvim Escobar threw to hitters in live batting practice twice and was tentatively scheduled to pitch in a game for the first time since last summer on Sunday or Monday. Escobar, returning from shoulder surgery, will make his first few game appearances in minor league camp games so that the Angels can closely monitor his pitch count. But he is on track to pitch in a Cactus League game before the end of the spring and could return to the Angels' rotation as early as May.