Angels claim Brown off waivers from Cardinals

ANAHEIM -- The Angels claimed center fielder Gary Brown off waivers from the Cardinals on Wednesday, then subsequently optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Brown was born and raised in Diamond Bar, Calif. -- about 15 miles away from Angel Stadium -- attended Cal State Fullerton and was the 24th overall pick by the Giants in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter has posted a .276/.340/.412 slash line in 559 career games in the Minors, adding 44 homers and 141 steals.

Brown played in seven games for the Giants last year and was selected off waivers by the Cardinals on April 3.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto called Brown "an 80 runner," the highest score on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.

"Glad to get him," Dipoto added in a text message. "Adds another layer of depth that's a bit of a different skill set than the [other outfielders in the Minor Leagues]."

The Angels also transferred Cory Rasmus to the 60-day disabled list, which means the right-handed reliever won't be eligible to be activated off the disabled list until early June, at the earliest.

Rasmus learned he needed surgery for a core injury on March 21, and the initial hope was that he'd return sometime around May. Dipoto said Rasmus hasn't had a setback; the Angels just needed the additional spot on the 40-man roster for Brown. There's still no date for when the 27-year-old right-hander will start playing catch, though.