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Scioscia: Trout, Ohtani atop lineup doesn't project for a whole season

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani probably won't be hitting atop the Los Angeles Angels' lineup for the remainder of the season, manager Mike Scioscia hinted Wednesday.

After penciling Trout and Ohtani into the top two spots in the batting order for a second straight game, Scioscia intimated that this lineup configuration isn't permanent.

"I don't think it projects for a whole season," he told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

On Tuesday, after slotting Ohtani into the cleanup spot in his previous start at DH, Scioscia bumped the two-way phenom up to the No. 2 spot against the Houston Astros and penciled Trout in at leadoff for the first time since last September. Trout went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in his club's 5-3 loss, while Ohtani finished 1-for-4.

Prior to Tuesday's game, only Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart had led off for the Angels this season, but Scioscia opted to mix it up with the former struggling and the latter needing a day off. Though Cozart returned Wednesday, Scioscia elected to keep Trout and Ohtani atop the lineup, bumping Cozart down to the No. 6 spot.

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