Not much star power when these two meet

It is a cherished perk of spring training: Veterans seldom make trips. But when the Angels’ bus rolled into the Milwaukee Brewers’ park Thursday, the Brewers were livid.

The Angels’ lineup featured one player expected to start on opening day, Howie Kendrick. The lineup also included reserves Maicer Izturis and Robb Quinlan and possible reserves Erick Aybar, Jeff Mathis and Kendry Morales.

So, for Friday’s rematch in Tempe, the Brewers gave all their regulars the day off and fielded a lineup in which the most recognizable player was Tony Gwynn’s son, a minor league outfielder. The Brewers won anyway, 3-2.

Milwaukee Manager Ned Yost declined to comment. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he had complied with major league guidelines calling for spring lineups to include four prominent players and noted that Shea Hillenbrand (bronchitis) and Mike Napoli (wisdom teeth extraction) were unavailable.

Scioscia said he understood that Cactus League fans paying as much as $26 a ticket want to see stars. In these final two weeks of the exhibition season, he said, they would.

“As the spring goes on, you’re much more likely to see your regular lineup,” he said.

Issue resolved

Angels owner Arte Moreno, who pledged two weeks ago that the uncertain situation surrounding Gary Matthews Jr. would be “resolved by opening day, one way or the other,” said Friday he considers the issue resolved so far as the club is concerned.

Matthews issued a statement Wednesday in which he denied using human growth hormone but did not address the allegation that he had ordered HGH. Moreno had pressed Matthews to speak publicly about the issue, and with that statement the Angels apparently plan to leave any further investigation to Major League Baseball.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re getting prepared to play baseball,” Moreno said.

Moseley steps up

Dustin Moseley, bidding for a job as a spot starter and long reliever, pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings to lower his earned-run average to 1.98. Moseley drew the start when Joe Saunders was scratched because of mild tightness in his left forearm. The Angels did not order an MRI exam or other test, Scioscia said, and Saunders is expected to start again as scheduled Wednesday.

The Angels appeared to have tied the score, 3-3, in the eighth inning, with pinch-runner Adam Pavkovich scoring from first base on a triple by Chone Figgins. But Pavkovich, a minor leaguer, was called out on appeal for missing third base.

Around the horn

The Angels haven’t decided whether they prefer Mathis or veteran Jose Molina as their backup catcher, but they have alerted other clubs that Molina might be available this month. Molina will make $1.45 million this season. ... The Angels used Aybar as a pinch-hitter, another indication they might keep their top shortstop prospect on the major league roster. ... John Lackey resembled a preacher looking down on his flock Friday morning, dispensing advice from atop the mound, surrounded by the Angels’ minor league pitchers. Orlando Cabrera conducted a baserunning clinic Thursday for the Angels’ minor league position players.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com