Angels’ Jered Weaver, Zack Greinke to remain on regular rest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Angels Manager Mike Scioscia will keep both Jered Weaver and Zack Greinke on regular rest for the remainder of the season, putting the right-handers in line to pitch in both of the remaining three-game series against the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.

Weaver will start Tuesday night against Texas in Anaheim. Scioscia said left-hander C.J. Wilson, who has had a problem with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, is “penciled in� for Wednesday, and Greinke will start Thursday.

Ervin Santana, who has delivered quality starts in five of his last six games but took a line drive off the inside of his right forearm Wednesday night against Oakland, and Dan Haren will be pushed back to Friday and Saturday against the Chicago White Sox.

The move assures that Weaver will start four of the team’s final 17 games, including Sept. 28 at Texas. Greinke, who pitched Saturday night against the Kansas City Royals, will start three more times, including Sept. 30 at Texas. Wilson, Santana and Haren are tentatively scheduled to start three games each.

“Ervin got smoked on the forearm, and we want to give him a couple more days,� Scioscia said. “That wasn’t a determining factor, but it was part of it. C.J. has been throwing the ball really well for us.

“We need all of these guys to give us a chance to win every night, but right now, these are the three guys we want out there for this series� against Texas.

Both Wilson and Santana have had mixed results against the Rangers. Wilson gave up two earned runs and 10 hits in 11 2/3 innings of games the Angels won May 12 and June 2 but gave up eight runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings of an Aug. 2 loss.

Santana was rocked for six runs and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings of a July 21 loss to Texas but gave up three runs and four hits in five innings of a July 30 win.

Short hops

Since returning from a foot injury Aug. 6, shortstop Erick Aybar hit .366 (52 for 142) with 26 runs in 36 games to raise his average from .263 to .290 entering Saturday.

Torii Hunter, who started the previous two games — against left-handers — in the cleanup spot, moved back to the second spot Saturday, and Scioscia said he will keep him there against right-handers.

After a right calf injury relegated him to designated hitter for 16 games, Albert Pujols made his second straight start at first base Saturday. “Hopefully, I can be there for the rest of the season,� Pujols said.

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