Angels pregame notes: Izturis in, Wood out, Scioscia a bust
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Mike Scioscia will receive his American League manager-of-the-year award in a ceremony before Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins, and to mark the occasion, the Angels are giving fans attending the game a miniature bust of Scioscia, who questioned the wisdom of such a promotional item.
‘That’s a sin,’ Scioscia said. ‘This is a face you want to forget. Why are they making a bust out of it?’
Third baseman Brandon Wood, in the eyes of some fans, was a bust in the Angels’ first three games, going one for 12 with five strikeouts, and he was replaced in Thursday night’s lineup by Maicer Izturis. Designated hitter Hideki Matsui will get his first start in left field.
In other news, pitcher Scott Kazmir, on the disabled list because of a right hamstring injury, will make a rehabilitation start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Friday night with a target of six or seven innings and about 90 pitches. If all goes well, the left-hander will be folded into the Angels’ rotation for next Thursday night’s game against the New York Yankees.
Reserve outfielder Reggie Willits, also on the DL because of a right hamstring strain, will begin a four-game rehab assignment with Rancho Cucamonga Thursday night. Barring setback, he could be activated during next week’s Yankees series.
LINEUPS FOR TONIGHT’S GAME
TWINS
CF Denard Span
2B Orlando Hudson
C Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
RF Michael Cuddyer
DH Jim Thome
LF Jason Kubel
SS J.J. Hardy
3B Brendan Harris
P Kevin Slowey
ANGELS
SS Erick Aybar
DH Bobby Abreu
CF Torii Hunter
LF Hideki Matsui
1B Kendry Morales
RF Juan Rivera
2B Howie Kendrick
3B Maicer Izturis
C Jeff Mathis
P Joel Pineiro
--Mike DiGiovanna