Kendrick to do without mentor

TEMPE, Ariz. – Second baseman Howie Kendrick was not traded this winter, but his security blanket was.

When the Angels sent shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland in November, they traded their only veteran infielder, a player who helped guide Kendrick through his first two big league seasons.

When Kendrick needed help with positioning, Cabrera would provide the answer.

This season, when Kendrick looks to his right, he’ll see Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis, neither of whom has been an everyday shortstop in the big leagues.

“Playing with Orlando was a great learning experience … and with him leaving, that’s a big loss,” Kendrick said. “But there comes a time when you have to learn things on your own. I’ve got to pay attention to Alfredo [Griffin, infield coach], and playing the game, you learn how to play guys.”

After another winter in which he was prominently mentioned in trade rumors, Kendrick is glad to be on the Angels’ side.

He was the player Florida coveted in talks for slugger Miguel Cabrera, and owner Arte Moreno said he thought the Angels twice had deals with the Marlins. But negotiations broke down, Cabrera went to Detroit, and Kendrick stayed in Anaheim.

“I can’t lie and say I didn’t look at it and didn’t know what was going on, because I did,” Kendrick said. “But it didn’t happen. I feel good to be here. This is home, and I love playing for the Angels.”

When left fielder Garret Anderson arrived Tuesday, he termed as “hearsay” the notion he would take regular turns at designated hitter because Manager Mike Scioscia hadn’t spoken to him directly about his plan to rotate Anderson, Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews Jr. through the corner outfield and DH spots.

It’s no longer hearsay. The two met Wednesday, the manager expressing to Anderson the importance of keeping all three fresh so they, along with center fielder Torii Hunter, can get 600 plate appearances apiece.

“I want to keep everyone in tune with the outfield,” Scioscia said. “I don’t foresee one guy being a flat-out DH the whole year. I think that limits your depth and versatility.”

Top prospect Brandon Wood will work out at shortstop for the first part of camp, then move to third base so he can “be in tune with both, because he’s on our depth chart at both positions,” Scioscia said.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com