TEMPE, Ariz. – The injury to defensive whiz Jose Iglesias was a tough blow for the Detroit Tigers, but it couldn’t have worked out much better for Andrew Romine and the Angels.
The Angels on Friday traded Romine, a defensive specialist who might not have had a spot on their team, to the Tigers for lefty Jose Alvarez, who adds much needed starting pitching depth.
Alvarez, 24, has a 3.50 career ERA in the minors, including a 2.80 mark at Triple-A last season. He also appeared in 14 major league games, including six starts, with a 5.82 ERA.
For the Angels, Alvarez goes into the pool with Matt Shoemaker and Wade LeBlanc as candidates to start at Triple-A and be on call if a rotation spot opens in the majors.
It’s also possible Alvarez could make the Angels as a long reliever until he’s needed to start. He is not a late-inning situational lefty, though.
Alvarez left an impression when he started last June against the Angels. He gave up two runs through five innings, but then the Angels chased him in the sixth.
“He has multiple pitches with an excellent changeup,” General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. “The first time through our lineup he looked every bit a major league starter. We believe it’s a solid addition to bring on a young lefty with controllable upside.”
Alvarez has two options left, and is not arbitration eligible for at least two seasons.
He is expected to arrive in Arizona on Saturday and make his Angels debut Sunday or Monday.
As for Romine, his Angels career comes to an end after seven years in the organization, since the Trabuco Hills High product was drafted out of Arizona State in 2007.
Romine, 28, hit .250 in parts of four seasons in the majors, including .259 last year. He was out of options this spring, and competing with John McDonald and Grant Green for the backup infield job. McDonald is now expected to win the job.
The Tigers plan to put Romine into a competition with Danny Worth and Hernan Perez for playing time at shortstop, with Iglesias out for the season.
“I’m pumped,” Romine said after exchanging hugs and handshakes with his former Angels teammates. “It’s a great team. You can’t argue that. They’re going to be going for a world championship every year.”
SETBACK FOR BURNETT
Left-hander Sean Burnett felt some discomfort in his elbow, although in a different spot than where he had surgery last year, so he had to end a bullpen session Friday morning.
“There is obviously a little setback right now,” Manager Mike Scioscia said, “but the big picture is it’s in a different area.”
Burnett, who was already likely to start the season on the DL, is likely to be pushed further back.
Pitching coach Mike Butcher remained optimistic Burnett might only miss a day or two, and could possibly even try to throw again Saturday .
“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Butcher said.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR BLANTON
Joe Blanton will start Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale, while Hector Santiago will pitch in a minor league game.
Santiago, who is already in the Angels rotation, is going to pitch in a controlled environment so he can get up for seven innings.
Meanwhile, the Angels want to get another look at Blanton, who has allowed three runs in 101/3 innings in his two starts since he moved to the third-base side of the rubber.
“I think the adjustments he’s made are a work in progress, but he got some pretty dramatic results the first time he did it, and he carried it over in the second start too,” Scioscia said. “Hopefully he’s going to keep progressing from there.”
It’s looking more likely that the Angels might keep Blanton as a long reliever, instead of trading or releasing him.
DEADLINES LOOMING
Non-roster invitees Carlos Pena, Yorvit Torrealba and Chad Tracy have a right to request a release if they are not added to the 40-man roster by Sunday. The Angels must add McDonald by Tuesday or pay him a retention bonus of $100,000 to keep him on his minor league deal.
Brennan Boesch has a “soft out” in his deal for March 30, meaning he can request his release only if he has an immediate major league opportunity on another club.
Ian Stewart and Brandon Lyon have “outs” later in the season, so both would be expected to remain in the organization in the minors if they don’t make the opening day roster. Lyon lives in Utah, so he might be willing to play at Triple-A Salt Lake City.
NOTES
Dane De La Rosa, who had said he planned to throw a bullpen session Friday, is scheduled to throw Saturday, Scioscia said. De La Rosa might not be ready for the March 31 opener.
Brian Moran said he is scheduled to see a doctor Saturday and hopes to be allowed to throw again. Moran has been down for about a week because of a sore elbow. Moran is a Rule 5 pick, so the Angels have to keep him on the 25-man roster or disabled list or offer him back to the Seattle Mariners, so a DL trip could offer the Angels more time to evaluate him on a rehab assignment.
Contact the writer: jlfletcher@ocregister.com
