Alberto Callaspo returns to Angels lineup vs. Marlins; Vernon Wells, Maicer Izturis to bench

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Alberto Callaspo, limited to three pinch-hit appearances over the past nine days because of a left hamstring pull, is in Tuesday night’s lineup against the Florida Marlins, the first time the third baseman has started since June 11. Callaspo is hitless in his last 18 at-bats.

Callaspo’s return sent Maicer Izturis, who had three hits and scored the winning run Monday night when he got a good jump from third on Torii Hunter’s slow roller to third base, on the bench.

Izturis is batting .295 with a team-leading 18 doubles and 31 runs, which ranks second on the team, but Manager Mike Scioscia said he doesn’t expect the switch-hitter -- who can play all three infield positions -- to return to a backup role.

“He will play as much as we can get him in there,” Scioscia said. “We have deeper options. We can play Howie [Kendrick, second baseman] at first at times, and a lot of guys have played a lot and would benefit from a day off at times.”

Joining Izturis on the bench Tuesday night is outfielder Vernon Wells. Bobby Abreu has a .316 career average (25 for 79) with 10 home runs against Marlins starter Javier Vazquez -- that’s the most home runs by any major leaguer against any active pitcher -- and Scioscia wanted to keep him in the lineup.

Wells has 12 hits, including three home runs, in 39 at-bats over his last 10 games, raising his average from .176 to .203.

The Angels lineup: SS Erick Aybar, 2B Howie Kendrick, RF Torii Hunter, LF Bobby Abreu, 3B Alberto Callaspo, 1B Russell Branyan, C Hank Conger, CF Peter Bourjos, P Ervin Santana.

The Marlins lineup: CF Emilio Bonifacio, LF Logan Morrison, 1B Gaby Sanchez, SS Hanley Ramirez, 3B Greg Dobbs, RF Mike Stanton, C John Buck, 2B Omar Ifante, P Javier Vazquez.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna in Miami