Rockies trade Josh Rutledge to Angels for pitching help
SAN DIEGO — The Rockies made a move to bolster their bullpen late Wednesday night at the winter meetings, acquiring hard-throwing, right-handed reliever Jairo Diaz from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge.
Diaz, a 23-year-old from Venezuela, made his major-league debut for the Angels as a September call-up. The 6-foot right-hander posted a 3.18 ERA with three walks and eight strikeouts in five games.
During the 2014 season, Diaz also pitched at High-A Inland Empire and Double-A Arkansas, where he went 4-4 with a 3.48 ERA, 20 walks and 85 strikeouts in 56 games. Diaz entered the Angels organization as a catcher, but was converted to a relief pitcher in 2011.
Rutledge, 25, spent most of the 2014 season with the Rockies, batting .269 with 16 doubles, seven triples, four homers and 33 RBIs in 105 games.
Jeff Rutledge may wind up as the starting second baseman next season for the Los Angeles Angels after being traded away by the Colorado Rockies. (AP file)