Erick Aybar makes return for Angels

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Erick Aybar, out since the season’s opening weekend with a strained muscle in his ribcage, was back in the Angels’ lineup Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in the final game of the team’s six-game road trip.

“He’s fine,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s been running 100%. Swinging from both sides 100%. And he hasn’t been out that long. He’s been out two weeks. So he should be close enough to be able to put the bat on the ball, make the plays he needs to on the defensive side.

“Two weeks in some ways isn’t a long time. In some ways it’s a lifetime. You have to get back in the feel of the major leagues. There’s always that little adjustment you have to make getting into a game again. But it shouldn’t be too much for Erick.”

With left-hander Matt Harrison pitching for the Rangers, Scioscia sat designated hitter Bobby Abreu, started Aybar at short and moved Maicer Izturis, the American League’s leading hitter at .388, from shortstop into the DH role.

Izturis also started Wednesday with a share of the league lead for hits with 26.

On the mound for the Angels will be right-hander Jered Weaver (4-0, 1.30 earned-run average).

The lineups:

Angels

DH -- Maicer Izturis

2B -- Howie Kendrick

RF -- Torii Hunter

LF -- Vernon Wells

3B -- Alberto Callaspo

1B -- Mark Trumbo

CF -- Peter Bourjos

C -- Jeff Mathis

SS -- Erick Aybar

P -- Jeff Weaver

Texas Rangers

DH -- Ian Kinsler

SS -- Elvis Andrus

2B -- Michael Young

3B -- Adrian Beltre

LF -- Nelson Cruz

CF -- David Murphy

1B -- Mike Napoli

RF -- Mitch Moreland

C -- Yorvit Torrealba

P -- Matt Harrison

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-- Kevin Baxter in Arlington, Texas