Angels notes: Mike Scioscia to miss Sunday’s game; Howie Kendrick out of lineup
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Manager Mike Scioscia will miss Sunday’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves to attend his son Matthew’s graduation from Notre Dame. Scioscia is scheduled to fly to Chicago after Saturday night’s game and return in time for Monday night’s game against Oakland. Bench coach Rob Picciolo will run the team in Scioscia’s absence.
Left fielder Howie Kendrick, who missed Friday night’s game because of tightness in his lower right hamstring, is not in the lineup for Saturday night’s game. Scioscia said Kendrick will try to run for the first time Sunday.
‘He’s getting better, but any time you have a hamstring injury, you’re worried,’ Scioscia said. ‘It’s definitely not something you’re going to rush.’
Braves right fielder Jason Heyward, who is batting .214 with seven homers and 14 runs batted in, was in the Braves’ original lineup Saturday night but was scratched because of a sore right shoulder.
Angels left-hander Scott Kazmir, who has spent the last month in the team’s extended spring training camp in Arizona trying to find a consistent delivery and release point, threw his bullpen workout in Arizona instead of Anaheim on Saturday.
Kazmir was scheduled to fly to Orange County on Saturday evening, and he will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday night. The team will have 30 days to either activate him or release him.
‘There’s not a minimum amount of games [to his rehab stint], but there is a maximum number of games,’ Scioscia said. The manager said the Angels could also bring Kazmir back in a relief role.
‘No doubt, we need starting pitching depth in our organization,’ Scioscia said. ‘We’re looking at him as a starter, but I wouldn’t rule out anything.’
The Angels lineup for Saturday: DH Maicer Izturis, SS Erick Aybar, LF Bobby Abreu, RF Torii Hunter, 3B Alberto Callaspo, C Hank Conger, 1B Mark Trumbo, 2B Alexi Amarista, CF Peter Bourjos, P Joel Pineiro.
The Braves lineup: CF Nate McLouth, 3B Martin Prado, DH Chipper Jones, C Brian McCann, LF Eric Hinske, 2B Dan Uggla, 1B Freddie Freeman, SS Alex Gonzalez, RF Joe Mather, P Tommy Hanson.
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-- Mike DiGiovanna