Injuries to Kohn, Cassevah dent Angels’ bullpen depth

Reliever Michael Kohn, who positioned himself to make the club with five scoreless spring innings, has been diagnosed with an acute flexor strain, an injury that will sideline the right-hander for at least a week and probably force him to the disabled list to open the season.

“This spring was going pretty good -- hopefully this is a little bump in the road,” Kohn said. “It’s better to catch it early. It’s one of those things that happens. I can’t dwell on it.”

With Bobby Cassevah still yet to pitch in a spring game because of a shoulder tear -- the right-hander is scheduled to throw off a bullpen mound Tuesday for the first time in a week -- a clear path appears to have been paved for right-handers Rich Thompson and Kevin Jepsen to make the team.

With a fifth starter not needed until April 15, Manager Mike Scioscia said he will open the season with four starters -- Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana andC.J. Wilson -- and seven relievers.

Jordan Walden, Scott Downs, LaTroy Hawkins and Hisanori Takahashi are locks for bullpen spots, and a fifth spot will probably go to veteran right-hander Jason Isringhausen.

“The injuries [to Kohn and Cassevah] have thinned some things out,” Scioscia said, “but there should be no shortage of arms we’re going to trust to get outs for us.”

The Angels and San Francisco Giants, the two teams Sports Illustrated has predicted will meet in the World Series in October, will play a 1 p.m. exhibition in Scottsdale Stadium.

It is Weaver’s turn to pitch, but the Angels ace and opening-day starter will pitch in a triple-A game against the Colorado Rockies with a target of six innings and 90 pitches. Chris Iannetta will catch Weaver, and Kendrys Morales, Mike Trout and Maicer Izturis will also play in the minor league game.

Brad Mills, the left-hander acquired from Toronto for catcher Jeff Mathis, will start opposite Giants ace Tim Lincecum.

The Angels lineup: SS Erick Aybar, 2B Howie Kendrick, 1B Albert Pujols, LF Vernon Wells, RF Bobby Abreu, 3B Mark Trumbo, CF Peter Bourjos, C Bobby Wilson, P Brad Mills.

The Giants lineup: CF Angel Pagan, RF Gregor Blanco, C Buster Posey, 3B Pablo Sandoval, LF Aubrey Huff, 1B Brandon Belt, 2B Emmanuel Burriss, SS Brandon Crawford, P Tim Lincecum.

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Injuries to Kohn, Cassevah dent Angels’ bullpen depth