ARLINGTON, Texas _ Los Angeles Angels lefty Joe Saunders ongoing problems with a kidney stone will cause him to miss Tuesday night's scheduled start against Seattle.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Jered Weaver and Jon Garland would move ahead one day and pitch on their usual four days' rest.

"We'll look for a Thursday starter," Scioscia said before Sunday's game against Texas.

Of Saunders, Scioscia said, "We'll hold him off because he's not able to do the work in between. He's a little weak right now. He'll skip a start and keep in line to pitch over the weekend."

Saunders leads the AL West champions in wins, going 16-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 30 starts so far. His next start will probably be Sept. 28, the final day of the regular season.

Saunders said a kidney stone was expected to cause him pain for 48 hours. He added that the stone could dissipate or pass through his system by Monday morning.

"It has been making my back not feel very good," Saunders said. "I'm taking pain pills for my back, and it feels better."

Scioscia had better news about other injured Angels as the AL West champions prepare for the playoffs.

Third baseman Chone Figgins (right elbow injury) returned to Sunday's lineup as the leadoff batter. Outfielder Juan Rivera (right hip) could return "possibly (Monday) or Tuesday," Scioscia said.

Scioscia said second baseman Howie Kendrick (left hamstring) "feels great. We'll evaluate him every day."

All three players are expected to be available for the postseason.

"With Rivera and Kendrick hitting down deep in the lineup, it's a deep lineup," Scioscia said.