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Angels briefing: Window closing for Kendrys Morales; Mark Trumbo out 3 to 4 days; Alberto Callaspo to start at 3B

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Kendrys Morales appears to be a long shot to play in an exhibition game by Sunday, the deadline Manager Mike Scioscia has set for the first baseman to have any chance of being on the active roster for the March 31 season opener in Kansas City.

As of Thursday, Morales still wasn’t running full speed in a straight line, and until the slugger does, he won’t progress to running the bases. And until Morales can make the hard turn at first and run the bases aggressively, he won’t play in a spring game.

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Morales, who is recovering from a broken lower left leg, a season-ending injury he suffered May 29, will likely open the season on the disabled list, and when he is activated, he will probably have to spend a considerable amount of time at designated hitter.

‘His window is narrowing,’ Scioscia said. ‘If he’s not in games by Sunday, that’s probably going to push him past opening day.’

But that window ‘is not shut,’ Scioscia insisted.

‘If all of a sudden he breaks through some barriers and is where he needs to be, he could be ready by opening day,’ Scioscia said. ‘Once he runs full speed and is in games, we’ll be able to make a determination.’

Morales’ probable replacement at first base, Mark Trumbo, said the tightness in his right groin, which flared up Wednesday against Arizona, has subsided, but he will be held out of games for three or four days as a precaution. Trumbo leads the team with five spring home runs.

‘He’s played a lot,’ Scioscia said. ‘It won’t hurt him to take a little rest right now.’

Catcher Bobby Wilson, infielder Brandon Wood and second baseman Howie Kendrick will all play or work out at first base over the next few days, so the Angels can establish some depth at the position.

Third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who injured his throwing shoulder on the first day of camp, will make his first start in the field against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night, but most of the team’s regulars won’t make the trip to Scottsdale Stadium after playing the last two games.

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Right-hander Dan Haren is scheduled to throw five innings or 75 pitches, whatever comes first. Relievers Fernando Rodney, Kevin Jepsen, Jordan Walden and Rich Thompson are also scheduled to pitch.

The Angels’ lineup:

CF Peter Bourjos

LF Chris Pettit

3B Alberto Callaspo

C Bobby Wilson

SS Brandon Wood

1B Efren Navarro

RF Angel Castillo

2B Gil Velazquez

P Dan Haren

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-- Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.

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