Early starts force some changes for Angels

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The Angels’ season-opening series with the Royals calls for four games starting at four different times. So with Saturday’s 12:10 p.m. CDT start -- the earliest first-pitch on the trip -- following Friday’s 7:10 game -- the latest first pitch in the trip -- Manager Mike Scioscia decided to tweak his lineup to keep his players fresh.

‘This is a good look for today,’ said Scioscia, who is starting three switch hitters in Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar and Alberto Callaspo. ‘It’s a pretty quick turnaround.’

As a result, backup catcher Bobby Wilson gets his first start of the season in place of Jeff Mathis, Torii Hunter moves from right field to designated hitter and rookie Mark Trumbo sits down with Howie Kendrick taking his position in the field.

‘You want to get guys in there playing that are going to be part of your team,’ Scioscia said. ‘We’ve got Bobby in there today. I don’t think you’re trying to just get guys out to play. I like this lineup for the depth it creates.’

Trumbo, who is off to a tough start after grounding into a pair of double plays Friday, will be part of the lineup Sunday, Scioscia said.

The lineups:

Angels

2B -- Maicer Izturis

1B -- Howie Kendrick

RF -- Bobby Abreu

DH -- Torii Hunter

LF -- Vernon Wells

3B -- Alberto Callaspo

SS -- Erick Aybar

C -- Bobby Wilson

CF -- Peter Bourjos

P -- Ervin Santana

Kansas City Royals

SS -- Alcides Escobar

CF -- Melky Cabrera

LF -- Alex Gordon

DH -- Billy Butler

1B -- Kila Ka’aihue

RF -- Jeff Francoeur

3B -- Wilson Betemit

C -- Matt Treanor

2B -- Chris Getz

P -- Kyle Davies

-- Kevin Baxter in Kansas City, Mo.