Bourjos expected to return to Angels on Friday

NEW YORK -- Peter Bourjos is expected to join the Angels from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday for the start of a three-game home series against the Astros, and Erick Aybar figures to be the starting shortstop that day.

Aybar exited Wednesday's game with a sore left calf, which grabbed on him while trying to beat out a slow roller for the final out of the third inning. But the 29-year-old shortstop was on the field for pregame activities and expects to be back in the starting lineup for Thursday's 10:05 a.m. PT game.

To take his place on Wednesday, the Angels called up shortstop Andrew Romine from Triple-A and sent lefty reliever Nick Maronde to Double-A, giving them a four-man bench again.

"Everything's fine," Aybar said. "I'll play tomorrow."

Bourjos, out since June 29 with a fractured right wrist, has gone 5-for-26 in six games for Salt Lake, with a homer, three doubles, two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Mike Trout will mostly go back to left field when Bourjos is activated, and Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn't anticipate much of a platoon situation, which means J.B. Shuck will primarily be the club's designated hitter and Kole Calhoun or Collin Cowgill -- or both, if neither are optioned -- will be on the bench.

"We have some left-handed bats we definitely can match up with, but I don't think Peter is a platoon-type player," Scioscia said of Bourjos, with a .333/.392/.457 slash line in 40 games. "I mean, he was really playing well early. It's going to be nice to re-establish some depth."