CLEVELAND — Los Angeles Angels shortstop Maicer Izturis will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left thumb.

Izturis aggravated the injury Wednesday and is scheduled to be operated on next Tuesday by Dr. Steve Shin, who will repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The Angels expect the 27-year-old Izturis to be ready for spring training.

"It's a tough loss," manager Mike Scioscia said today. "We feel terrible for Izzy. We have to move on, but he's an important part of what we've done."

Izturis originally sprained the thumb Aug. 1 and missed eight of the next nine games, but didn't go on the DL. He was hurt again while diving for a ground ball in the ninth inning of Wednesday night's loss to Seattle.

A switch-hitter, he hit .269 this year with three homers, 27 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 79 games.

Scioscia said that Erick Aybar will get the bulk of the playing time at shortstop, with Sean Rodriguez in reserve.

Los Angeles put Izturis on the 15-day disabled list and recalled first baseman Kendry Morales from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Morales, also a switch-hitter, was batting .338 with 14 homers and 58 RBIs in 70 games at Salt Lake. He is hitless in one at-bat with the Angels this season.