Angels acquire Winkler from Rays for Krauss
Club likes velocity, breaking ball from righty reliever, who will report to Double-A
ANAHEIM -- The Angels acquired right-handed reliever Kyle Winkler from the Rays in exchange for left-handed power hitter Marc Krauss on Thursday.
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Winkler, who will report to Double-A, is 25 and has yet to reach the big leagues. A 10th-round Draft pick by the D-backs out of Texas Christian University in 2011 -- and a former teammate of Angels infielder Taylor Featherston -- Winkler has a 4.81 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP in his Minor League career, walking 4.2 batters and striking out 9.0 per nine innings.
Winkler, who previously had Tommy John surgery, was released by the D-backs and signed with the Rays this season. He's posted a 1.46 ERA in 10 appearances in Double-A and Triple-A, and Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said he's "shown solid velocity with a sharp breaking ball."
Krauss was claimed off waivers from the Astros in December, but he went 5-for-35 in a short stint with the Angels earlier this year and was designated for assignment. Krauss, a 27-year-old who can play first base and the outfield corners, was batting .289/.415/.453 in Triple-A.