ANAHEIM -- Angels catcher Geovany Soto went on the disabled list again Monday, this time because of an issue with his left knee.
Soto had his right knee surgically repaired May 19, then was scratched from the starting lineup Sunday, nine days after being activated off the DL, and went right back on the shelf the following day. Soto had surgery on his left knee in 2012 and aggravated it this time while using it to compensate for his most recent surgery.
"We don't think it's anything significant," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before Monday's 9-5 win over the Rangers, "but there's some swelling."
Scioscia is hopeful that Soto can return as soon as he is eligible, but that won't come until July 31, one day before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Soto, a free agent at season's end, seemed like a logical trade chip this month. But now it appears the Angels will have to wait until August, when trades can only be made after a player clears waivers.
In the meantime, the Angels called up Juan Graterol, a 27-year-old Minor League journeyman who was batting .292/.331/.357 in Triple-A Salt Lake and will split time with Jett Bandy. They could've called up Carlos Perez, who opened the season as the primary catcher, but Scioscia wants him to continue fine-tuning his swing.
"I think he's starting to get comfortable in the batter's box," Scioscia said. "We want him to keep moving that along, and then we'll re-evaluate some things at some point."
Worth noting
• The Angels claimed 24-year-old Minor League second baseman Sean Coyle off waivers from the Red Sox and assigned him to Double-A Arkansas. Coyle, a third-round Draft pick in 2010, is a career .240/.329/.425 hitter in his seven-year Minor League career.
• Utility infielder Cliff Pennington, out since suffering a strained left hamstring a second time May 31, was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday. Pennington was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster for Graterol.
• Outfielder Craig Gentry has moved his rehab to Triple-A Salt Lake. Gentry initial went on the DL with a right lumbar spine strain May 1, then was taken off his rehab assignment May 21 because of an personal medical condition. He's played six games since.
• Tyler Skaggs was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after throwing seven innings of one-hit ball for Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, walking none and striking out 14. Skaggs, 25, will make what could be his final Minor League start Tuesday.
Asked if keeping Skaggs in the Minors had more to do with seeing more from him or from his Major League starters, Scioscia said: "This is about Tyler and where he is. He's still refining some things. Hopefully his last start is something you'll point to as a breakout."