Albert Pujols, Vernon Wells back in Angels lineup against Indians

Albert Pujols is back in the Angels lineup, playing first base and batting third, and right-hander Dan Haren will make his exhibition debut against the Cleveland Indians in a noon PST game at Goodyear Ballpark.

Vernon Wells is also batting cleanup and playing center field after drawing walks in each of his first two exhibition starts. Wells drew walks in consecutive games only once during a career-worst 2011 season, when he hit .218 with a .248 on-base percentage, 25 homers, 66 runs batted in and 20 walks.

“I saw that [on Twitter] and thought it was pretty funny -- I wasn’t aware of that,” Wells said. “I couldn’t come up with something witty enough to respond.”

Wells overhauled his swing with the help of Chicago Cubs hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo this winter and is focusing on driving the ball up the middle and to the gaps. That should result in more doubles -- Wells had a career-low 15 doubles last season after hitting 44 of them in 2010.

Though Wells has always been an aggressive hitter, he hopes an improved approach at the plate will also result in more walks this season, as well.

“I think walks are something that will increase as I’m trying to slow the game down,” Wells said. “I’ve always been in the swing mindset all the time instead of being patient and waiting for a pitch. But I think the older I get, I get a little more wiser every year, especially after last year.”

The Angels lineup:

2B Alexi Amarista, DH Bobby Abreu, 1B Albert Pujols, CF Vernon Wells, 3B Alberto Callaspo, RF Kole Calhoun, C Bobby Wilson, SS Andrew Romine, LF Doug Deeds, P Dan Haren.

The Indians lineup: CF Ezequiel Carrera, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, DH Travis Hafner, 1B Russ Canzier, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, RF Aaron Cunningham, 2B Cord Phelps, C Lou Marson, P Ubaldo Jimenez.

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