Maizer Izturis, not Howie Kendrick, to start at second base

The Angels’ latest salary drive starts Saturday, when Kelvim Escobar comes off the disabled list to start against the Detroit Tigers.

John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu form an already distinguished list of pending free agents on the Angels. Escobar, who has not pitched in the major leagues in 20 months because of a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, has four months to impress potential employers, including the Angels.

He has been on the disabled list with injuries to either his elbow or shoulder in each of the last five seasons, including this one.

“I’m sure a lot of people will have some doubts about how my arm is going to be,” Escobar said. “I want to show people that I’m healthy. If I’m able to pitch four months with no problem, I’m sure a lot of people will see I’m back healthy and see how quick I was able to recover after surgery.”

Escobar is 33. Of the 12 major league starting pitchers that age or older in free agency last fall, two got contracts for more than one year -- Derek Lowe and Jamie Moyer, both valued for durability.

On a one-year contract, Escobar and the Angels could be a good fit. With Lackey in line for a lucrative long-term deal as perhaps the best starter available in free agency, the Angels still could field a fine front four in Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana and Escobar.

Escobar said he was concerned more about helping the team this summer than about his contract this fall. He did say that he would prefer to stay with the Angels.

“Who wouldn’t want to be here?” he said. “This is a great organization. It’s a great place to play ball, with great fans. It’s not about the money. I make enough. I’m happy. I just want to play.”

Kendrick sits out

The Angels benched second baseman Howie Kendrick on Wednesday, and Manager Mike Scioscia would not say whether Kendrick would play today. Maicer Izturis started at second base Wednesday.

“Just getting Izzy in there to get a little offense,” Scioscia said.

Scioscia said he had decided to keep Kendrick out of Wednesday’s lineup before Tuesday’s game, in which he lost track of the number of outs while running the bases.

Kendrick, who hit .322 and .306 in his first two major league seasons, is batting .227 with a .267 on-base percentage.

He did not start for the seventh time in 23 games. Batting coach Mickey Hatcher said Tuesday that Kendrick’s confidence is waning, and Scioscia acknowledged the Angels have considered sending Kendrick to the minor leagues.

“That’s an option for any young player,” Scioscia said. “It’s something we look at. We’re going to continue to look at it.”

Hunter’s day off

Center fielder Torii Hunter did not start for the first time this season. Scioscia likes to give his outfielders a day out of the field in any series in which the Angels play on an artificial surface, but he could not use Hunter at designated hitter since Guerrero is restricted to DH.

The Angels do not expect that Guerrero can return to the outfield before the All-Star break. Guerrero, who tore a pectoral muscle in April, has yet to resume a throwing program.

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com