Mike Scioscia to miss Angels exhibition to attend family funeral

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels will play their Cactus League game against Colorado on Saturday without Manager Mike Scioscia, who flew to Philadelphia on Friday to attend a family funeral, a team spokesman said.

Bench Coach Rob Picciolo will manage the team in his place. Scioscia is expected to be back in Tempe on Sunday.

The lineup Picciolo inherited was the best the Angels have used this spring, with nine regulars expected to play. Only shortstop Erick Aybar was missing from the batting order.

Aybar is in Puerto Rico playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Albert Pujols was scheduled to play for just the second time this spring after he was scratched from his scheduled start Friday because of rain.

Pujols is being brought along slowly after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee during the off-season.

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