Vernon Wells A Late Scratch For Angels

OAKLAND (AP) -- Angels outfielder Vernon Wells is ill and has been scratched from the lineup against the Oakland Athletics.

Wells was penciled in as the cleanup hitter for Los Angeles in its first game after the All-Star break but was removed from the lineup 30 minutes before the first pitch Friday night.

Bobby Abreu, who was slated to be the designated hitter, replaced Wells in left field and dropped from third to fourth in the batting order. Russell Branyan replaced Abreu as the DH.

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