Bourjos to return Monday, likely won't bat leadoff

BOSTON -- Peter Bourjos got a couple of plate appearances for Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon and will be activated off the disabled list for Monday's series opener in Baltimore.

When he returns, it probably won't be to the leadoff spot.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia tweaked the lineup on Saturday, putting Mike Trout back at the leadoff spot in order to make Josh Hamilton his new No. 2 hitter. And Scioscia would like to keep it that way for the time being, which means Bourjos -- sporting a .370 on-base percentage before straining his left hamstring on April 29 -- will join Erick Aybar in the bottom of the order.

"Right now, I think we definitely want to give Josh a chance to get settled in the two-hole and lead off Mike," Scioscia said. "If that keeps going, it keeps going. If we have to adjust, we will."

The corresponding move to clear up a spot for Bourjos will be announced Monday and could be an interesting one. The only bench player with options -- besides backup catcher Hank Conger -- is J.B. Shuck, who has played very well as an everyday left fielder while Bourjos has been out. Infielders Brendan Harris and Chris Nelson, along with recently called up outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe, all have to be slipped through waivers.

Bourjos, who served as the designated hitter on Sunday and left in the fifth inning, went 6-for-25 with a couple of homers in seven rehab games (four in Triple-A, three in Class A). Scioscia's reports say he's "running good" and the hamstring has been "no issue at all."