After being acquired in a trade with the A’s for second baseman Tommy La Stella on Saturday, the Angels officially activated infielder Franklin Barreto before Wednesday’s series opener against the Padres. Fellow infielder Jahmai Jones was optioned and reliever Ryan Buchter was designated for assignment to make room for Barreto on the active roster.

The Angels were cautious with Barreto and made sure he cleared proper COVID-19 protocols before joining the club, especially with a member of the A’s testing positive, as announced on Sunday. Barreto said he was surprised by the trade but is excited about the opportunity to get more playing time.

“It was something I wasn’t expecting,” Barreto said through an interpreter. “I got a call from the manager saying I was traded to the Angels and ‘good luck, take care of yourself.’ And then with the protocol, I had to wait a little longer than usual because the players tested positive.”

Angels manager Joe Maddon said he sees Barreto as a utility man this season because of his ability to play so many positions. Barreto, who is out of Minor League options, has played shortstop and second base in the Majors, but he has experience at third base, left field and center field in the Minors.

“He’ll play everywhere,” Maddon said. “He needs to play second, short and third, and we want him to get some work in the outfield, too. So, literally, everywhere."

The Angels are hopeful that the former top prospect will be able to turn it around with more consistent playing time, as he’s struggled offensively in the Majors. The 24-year-old is 0-for-10 at the plate this year and is a career .180/.210/.360 hitter in 95 career games over parts of the last four seasons. He's had plenty of success at Triple-A, batting .285/.356/.505 in 290 games at that level, but it has yet to translate in the big leagues.

“It was hard, because in the Minors I was used to playing every day,” Barreto said. “But I was waiting for something like this to happen. I’m very happy to be here because this is a great team. There are so many great players here like Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani, and I hope to get the opportunity to help them win, which is the most important thing."

Fletcher out with ankle injury
Second baseman David Fletcher was held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game on Wednesday after twisting his left ankle near the first base bag in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Mariners. Luis Rengifo started at second in his place with Ohtani leading off for the first time this season. The Angels remain hopeful Fletcher could return Thursday.

"Just talked to Fletch, going on a day-by-day basis,” Maddon said. “He's not gonna be able to play tonight. But I'm not sure about tomorrow yet, and then into the weekend, so he is truly day to day.”

Angels complete trade with Reds, acquire Salvador
The Angels on Wednesday completed their trade with the Reds that sent outfielder Brian Goodwin to Cincinnati. The Angels acquired left-hander Packy Naughton on Monday, and they received left-hander Jose Salvador Wednesday as the player to be named.

Salvador, 20, posted a 4.81 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 19 walks in 58 innings in rookie ball last year, and he has a career 3.07 ERA with 114 strikeouts and 39 walks in 111 1/3 innings in the Minors. Salvador, a native of the Dominican Republic, was not ranked among Cincinnati’s Top 30 Prospects by MLB Pipeline.