Angels send Aybar to 15-day disabled list

Published Jul. 27, 2012 6:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Angels hoped to keep shortstop Erick Aybar off the disabled list, but Friday afternoon, they decided they had no choice.

Aybar, who is still not recovered from a non-displaced fracture of the big toe on his right foot, went on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Sunday. He's not eligible to return until Aug. 6.

To replace Aybar, the Angels recalled infielder Andrew Romine from Triple-A Salt Lake. Infielder Jean Segura, who had been with the team, was one of three players traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in the trade for pitcher Zack Greinke.

The Angels also activated outfielder Vernon Wells from the 60-day disabled list. Wells has been out since May 21 when he suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Wells, who was hitting .244 with six home runs and 12 RBI when he went down, doesn't expect to see much playing time in the Angels' crowded outfield of Mark Trumbo, Mike Trout and Torii Hunter.

"There's definitely an understanding of where our team is at right now and what his role will be," manager Mike Scioscia said. "It doesn't mean that it's not going to expand from that, but when you look at the way we've been playing, particularly the guys in the outfield, there's no doubt we want to keep that rolling. Vernon understands this. It's not an ideal position for him, but as a team it makes you stronger from a depth standpoint."

Wells, who is being paid $21 million this year and is still owed $42 million over the next two seasons, sounded accepting of his position before the game. Then again, he has no choice.

"There will be times when I'll be playing, and I'll be ready for those games," he said. "And there will be times I won't be, and I'll be ready to come in late for whatever purposes I'm needed.

"It'll be different, but just as anything in this game, you make adjustments. This is just another case of that. I'll be learning something different for later on in my career."