Team Will Miss Izturis on Bench

At first glance, it would not appear the loss of utility infielder Maicer Izturis for at least four weeks because of a sprained ligament in his left knee would greatly affect the Angels.

Izturis, who “felt a pop” in his knee while fielding a grounder during batting practice Tuesday and was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, was batting .200 in 20 at-bats with five runs, two triples and no runs batted in, and he has started just four games, all at third base.

But Izturis’ value goes beyond the numbers, and his absence will leave a significant hole on a bench that, with the exception of Izturis, has provided few meaningful contributions so far this season.

Izturis is an outstanding defensive shortstop and second baseman who was just beginning to feel comfortable at third base, where he appeared 10 times as a late-inning defensive replacement.

The switch-hitting Izturis is the second-fastest player on the team behind Chone Figgins and is a valuable pinch-runner, and he would have been a viable option at third if starter Dallas McPherson continues to struggle offensively.

“It’s a tough loss,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He definitely had a role with us and was playing well.”

An MRI test Wednesday confirmed that Izturis sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee. He’ll rest for about a week, until the inflammation subsides, and then begin range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, but doctors told him the injury would not require surgery.

“The doctor said it should heal on its own and be stronger than it originally was,” Izturis said through an interpreter.

“But it’s disappointing that I won’t play for four to six weeks. I was starting to get into a routine, knowing when to get loose, when I might pinch-run or pinch-hit, and was comfortable with the way Mike was using me.”

The Angels recalled utility infielder David Matranga, an Orange High product who was batting .308 with nine RBIs at triple-A Salt Lake and can play three infield positions, to replace Izturis and moved reliever Matt Hensley to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Matranga, who will join the Angels in New York tonight.

Second baseman Adam Kennedy, recovering from right knee surgery, is batting .538 at triple-A Salt Lake but has played only three games and will not be considered for recall until next week.

“He needs to get a solid foundation of his spring training under him,” Scioscia said, “and he needs more than three games at triple-A to do that.”

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*--* ANGELS TONIGHT

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ANGELS’

JOHN LACKEY

vs.

YANKEES’

KEVIN BROWN

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA ANGELS/Lackey (R) 1-1 6.64 2-2 0-2 12.0 6.75 New York/Brown (R) 0-2 8.25 0-2 0-1 13.0 6.23

*--*

Yankee Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT

TV -- Channel 9. Radio -- 710, 1020.

Update -- In a battle of struggling right-handers, Lackey will continue his effort to resurrect his once-promising career, and Brown attempts to salvage what is left of his once-distinguished career. Lackey made progress in his last start, giving up one earned run in five innings against Oakland last Friday but is 1-5 with a 7.07 earned-run average lifetime against the Yankees. Brown has lost his last five starts dating back to last season, and opponents are hitting .377 against him this season.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna