Giavotella will continue to receive regular ABs at second

ANAHEIM -- Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella, who was out of the starting lineup for the third time in the last eight games on Wednesday, will continue to receive regular playing time at second, manager Mike Scioscia said before the Angels' series finale against the Padres.

Giavotella had two hits in Monday's 4-3, walk-off win, and has hit safely in three straight games, but he was just 3 for his previous 31.

"You gotta talk to Scioscia about that," Giavotella said of his recent games coming off the bench. "I have no idea. I'm not making the lineup."

With utility man Grant Green recently called up from Triple-A and starting Wednesday's game, Scioscia was asked whether the starting second baseman would be based more on day-to-day matchups going forward.

"Johnny's still probably going to get a lot of playing time, but we're certainly going to spot Grant [Green] in there and also Taylor [Featherston] at times," Scioscia said. "Johnny, even with this little downturn, there's things he's doing at the plate that are important. He'll continue to get a lot of playing time at second."

Giavotella said he didn't think his slump was the result of any specific issue that needed addressing.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "I had a hit in Boston, two a couple days ago -- big knock in the ninth to help us win -- a couple of good at-bats yesterday, so I'm feeling good at the plate."

Worth noting

• Reliever Mike Morin, placed on the DL with a left-oblique strain on Saturday, is getting better, but the recovery is a matter of "weeks, not days," Scioscia said.

• Right-hander Cory Rasmus, out since undergoing surgery for what the team called a core injury in late March, is currently throwing in simulated games in Arizona, Scioscia said Wednesday. He'd still have to go out on a rehab assignment after that, which could start in the next week or so.

• Cuban shortstop Roberto Baldoquin, who began the season with Class A Advanced Inland Empire, recently suffered a setback with the strained lat muscle that has kept him out of the lineup since April 22. Baldoquin felt weakness in his left shoulder in his second rehab game in Arizona, but follow-up tests confirmed only a strain. The 21-year-old will continue to rehab in Arizona. There's no timeline for his return.

• Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher was away from the team on Wednesday while attending his daughter's graduation. Triple-A Salt Lake pitching coach Erik Bennett took his place.

• In an unusual move, Scioscia started both of his catchers -- Chris Iannetta and Carlos Perez -- on Wednesday, with Iannetta serving as the designated hitter.

"[Iannetta] was just kind of warming up, and we hate to get him out of that rhythm when we also need to play Carlos," Scioscia said.