Angels Morning Briefing: FanFest on Sunday; Pineiro to DL, lineups for Cactus League finale
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After a three-year absence, FanFest, or at least a scaled-down version of the event, will return to Angel Stadium in conjunction with Sunday’s 2 p.m. exhibition game against the San Diego Padres. The $5 admission to FanFest will include a ticket to the game.
The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a 5-kilometer race, a fun run, autograph sessions with Angels players, a rally monkey photo booth, sales and an auction of Angels memorabilia and merchandise, live music and carnival rides.
The Angels will close out their Cactus League schedule Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Jered Weaver will make his final tuneup before his scheduled opening-day start against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Manager Mike Scioscia said right-hander Joel Pineiro, slowed because of tightness in his right shoulder-blade area, will open the season on the disabled list. Pineiro is scheduled to start minor league games in Arizona on Tuesday and on April 3, and barring setbacks, he will start the team’s April 8 home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Many of the team’s regulars, including Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu, have already returned to Southern California, but top prospect Mike Trout, who was reassigned to minor-league camp earlier this month, will start in center field.
The Angels lineup: 2B Alexi Amarist, LF Chris Pettit, 3B Alberto Callaspo, C Hank Conger, 1B Brandon Wood, DH Mark Trumbo, SS Andrew Romine, CF Mike Trout, RF Tyson Auer, P Jered Weaver.
-- Mike DiGiovanna, reporting from Phoenix