Jered Weaver has gained 25 pounds this offseason, wants to pitch deeper into games

Jered Weaver is seriously preparing to once again anchor the Los Angeles Angels pitching staff.

The right-hander has put on 25 pounds this offseason, increasing his weight from 199 pounds to 224.

Weaver hopes that bulking up will help him pitch deeper into games, something the club will be counting on from the veteran in the absence of Garrett Richards (knee) for roughly the first six weeks of the season.

Weaver enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2014, going 18-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 34 starts - his highest total in a single season since 2010. He only lasted, however, eight or more innings four times.

The 32-year-old heavily relies on his deceptive delivery to fool hitters, but his declining velocity is a concern. Weaver's fastball averaged 90 miles per hour back in 2007, but is now being clocked at slightly below 87 mph. The weight gain could, however, help him gain back some of that velocity in 2015. At least that's the hope.