Alexi Amarista to start in left field for the Angels on Friday night

In an effort to get more left-handed bats in the lineup against Cleveland right-hander Justin Masterson, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia will start 5-foot-7 middle infielder Alexi Amarista in left field against the Indians on Friday night.

Amarista, 23, played all three outfield positions, as well as second base, during his second year of pro ball in the Arizona Summer League in 2008, but he has not played the outfield since then and played left field in only six games that season. He has worked in the outfield during batting practice since being called up by the Angels on April 25.

"He's athletic enough that he should be able to do it," Scioscia said. "I don't know if he'll be jumping over walls and taking home runs away, but he'll be OK."

Masterson is 5-0 with a 2.25 earned run average and has held right-handed hitters to a .147 average and no home runs entering Friday night. Lefties are hitting .295 with one homer against him. Center fielder Peter Bourjos and first baseman Mark Trumbo, who bat right-handed, are not in the lineup.

The Indians lineup: CF Grady Sizemore, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Orlando Cabrera, LF Michael Brantley, 1B Matt LaPorta, 3B Jack Hannahan, P Justin Masterson.

The Angels lineup: SS Erick Aybar, DH Bobby Abreu, 2B Maicer Izturis, RF Torii Hunter, 3B Alberto Callaspo, 1B Howie Kendrick, CF Vernon Wells, C Hank Conger, LF Alexi Amarista, P Tyler Chatwood.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Los Angeles Angels Alexi Amarista. Credit: Charlie Riedel / AP