Aybar held out of lineup, but sore hip has healed

CLEVELAND -- Erick Aybar was out of the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Indians, one day after exiting Sunday's contest early due to soreness in his left hip, but the shortstop pinch-hit late in the Angels' 4-3 loss and is expected to start again on Tuesday.

Aybar said pregame that his hip has fully healed, then took part in batting practice, hit a pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth and played the bottom half on defense.

Aybar, batting .292/.329/.438 while displaying Gold Glove-caliber defense, initially hurt himself while diving for an Andrelton Simmons grounder in Atlanta on Saturday and exited in Sunday's third inning.

"But I'm good now," Aybar said pregame. "I'm good."