Team’s needs are specific

With major league rosters expanding to 40 players Monday, General Manager Tony Reagins is still trying to determine how many minor leaguers the Angels will call up. But Manager Mike Scioscia already knows what positions they’ll play.

“We’re definitely looking to add a third catcher and at least two pitchers. And then we’ll go from there,” said Scioscia, who said the organization will try to balance the needs of the major league team with the desire to have younger prospects continue to play every day for triple-A Salt Lake, which is heading for the postseason.

“Our needs will be met, [but] some guys down in Salt Lake are going to benefit from playing in the playoffs down there,” he said.

Second thoughts

Scioscia has never managed a major league team without Garret Anderson. Yet until Friday he had never made out a major league lineup with Anderson batting second.

But with injuries having sidelined two of the team’s regular No. 2 hitters, and Juan Rivera starting in place of Gary Matthews Jr. in left, Scioscia said the move made sense. “I think it’s the best fit,” he said.

The last time Anderson batted second for any manager was Sept. 14, 1999, in the second game of a doubleheader at Kansas City. He was two for five.

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com