Aybar's absence comes on the heels of an eight-game road losing streak and a three-game sweep in Chicago, a stretch of games that saw the Angels go a combined 1-for-32 with runners in scoring position.
Aybar played in 110 of the Angels' first 113 games and hadn't missed a start since June 28, partly because Featherston, a rookie with a .131 batting average entering Thursday, hasn't looked comfortable offensively. The 31-year-old, switch-hitting Aybar entered the four-game series against Kansas City with a .273/.311/.335 slash line.
Worth noting
• Catcher Chris Iannetta was out of the starting lineup for a second straight day on Thursday and isn't expected to start on Friday, either.