Angels get Gillaspie in trade with White Sox

ANAHEIM -- The Angels acquired left-handed-hitting third baseman Conor Gillaspie from the White Sox for cash considerations on Friday morning, providing them with a stopgap at third base until David Freese returns from a fractured right index finger.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated Triple-A Salt Lake starting pitcher Adam Wilk for assignment.

Video: MIN@LAA: Freese exits game with fractured finger

Gillaspie broke out last year, batting .282/.336/.416 with seven homers and 57 RBIs in 130 games, but he's had a rough 2015 season, at the plate and in the field. The 28-year-old has committed 12 errors and his slash line has dropped to .237/.276/.364 in 58 games.

Gillaspie, who can also play first base, began the year splitting time with Gordon Beckham at third, then lost his job to rookie Tyler Saladino and was designated for assignment on Sunday.

"We know he's a better player than he's shown this year with Chicago," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Gillaspie, who won't be added to the Angels' roster until Saturday. "He can fill in at both corner positions, good left-handed hitter, especially against right-handed pitching. Maybe not as much power as some guys that play a corner position, but he's a terrific hitter. Hopefully he'll rebound from where he was at the start of the season with the White Sox and give a little different perspective and contribute for us."

Freese hopes to only miss about three weeks, which would have him coming back around the middle of August.

Gillaspie will take the roster spot of Nick Tropeano, who was optioned after his spot start in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers. Kyle Kubitza, whom the Angels hope will be ready for an everyday role at third base in 2016, will remain as an option in left field as the Angels continue to search the trade market for a bat.

Kubitza, who played left field in his last six games in Triple-A, can spell fellow left-handed hitter Matt Joyce, who entered Friday's game riding an 0-for-21 slump that has his batting average down to .179.

"We're looking for offense," Scioscia said, "and if Kyle is going to swing the bat and be productive, he has played some outfield. So, there's going to be some options to move bats around if you're looking for some offense."