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Angel veterans get the afternoon off

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It’s common for veterans to get the afternoon off when their teams make long road trips early in spring training. And the Angels are no different, which is why six regulars were not in the lineup Wednesday for the team’s Cactus League game with the defending American League champion Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz.

The trip to Surprise is just more than an hour from the Angels’ training base in Tempe, but it’s the longest the team will make this spring. So among those staying back were all three starting outfielders -- Vernon Wells, Peter Bourjos and Torii Hunter, who have played together the last two days -- as well as infielders Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar, and designated hitter Bobby Abreu. The two regulars who are traveling, infielder Maicer Izturis and catcher Jeff Mathis, are batting at the top of the order, giving the impression that each will hit two or three times, then be excused for the rest of the day.

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Early in the day there was no sign of rehabbing first baseman Kendry Morales, who missed the last two days of training with flu-like symptoms.

[Updated at 7:30 a.m.: Morales has arrived.]

On the mound, right-hander Dan Haren, acquired in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the middle of last summer, will make his first spring start as an Angel. The Rangers, meanwhile, are expected to play former Angel Mike Napoli.

The lineup:

3B -- Maicer Izturis

C -- Jeff Mathis

DH -- Alberto Callaspo

1B -- Mark Trumbo

CF -- Mike Trout

2B -- Alexi Amarista

SS -- Andrew Romine

RF -- Jeremy Moore

LF -- Chris Pettit

P -- Dan Haren

-- Kevin Baxter in Tempe, Ariz.

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