ARLINGTON -- The Angels called up third baseman Kaleb Cowart, a former first-round Draft pick, and designated lefty reliever Lucas Luetge for assignment prior to Wednesday's series finale from Globe Life Park.
The move returns the Angels to a standard seven-man bullpen and gives them a left-handed bat off the bench.
Cowart, a switch-hitter taken 18th overall in 2010, was batting .303/.352/.454 for Triple-A Salt Lake and has bounced around the infield, also seeing time at first base, second base and shortstop. MLB Pipeline ranked the 23-year-old the Angels' No. 5 prospect, and he could occasionally spell first baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Johnny Giavotella and third baseman Yunel Escobar.
The Angels have been getting more length out of their starting pitchers, who rank third in the Major Leagues in innings since May 14, and no longer need an extra arm in the bullpen.
Luetge, 29, was signed to a Minor League contract over the offseason and never made an appearance with the Angels. He posted a 4.35 ERA in 111 appearances with the Mariners over the last four years and had a 2.33 ERA in 15 appearances forSalt Lake this season, holding opposing left-handed hitters to a .531 OPS.
Luetge is the fourth reliever to be taken off the 40-man roster in the last five days, after Danny Reynolds, A.J. Achter and Al Alburquerque, all of whom ultimately cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A.