Angels spring update: Abreu is scratched, Aybar remains sidelined

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Angels right fielder Bobby Abreu was scratched from Sunday’s exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs because of tightness in his side, and shortstop Erick Aybar, who has some forearm stiffness, was not in the lineup for the fifth straight day.

When Aybar was asked about his sore arm Wednesday, he said he thought he would return to the lineup by the next day. But Manager Mike Scioscia said there was ‘no sense in pushing it,’ adding that Aybar was just experiencing the usual spring-training soreness players often feel.

‘He will be in drills today,’ Scioscia said. ‘If this was a regular-season game, he would play.’

The Angels lineup for Sunday:

SS Maicer Izturis

2B Howie Kendrick

CF Torii Hunter

DH Hideki Matsui

1B Kendry Morales

LF Juan Rivera

C Mike Napoli

3B Brandon Wood

RF Reggie Willits

P Joel Pineiro

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.