Halos bolster bullpen with righty Rasmus

ANAHEIM -- The Angels went back to a three-man bench for the second time in five days on Monday, calling up right-handed reliever Cory Rasmus and sending down third baseman Luis Jimenez.

Such is life without a traditional long reliever.

The Angels needed the extra arm after five relievers compiled 6 1/3 innings in Sunday's blowout loss to the Rangers. Rasmus, the 26-year-old who was acquired from the Braves for Scott Downs last July, had a 2.76 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 12 appearances in Triple-A Salt Lake and is capable of pitching more than one inning if necessary.

Ian Stewart figures to get the vast majority of the playing time at third base until David Freese returns from a non-displaced fracture in his right middle, perhaps as soon as May 18 if all goes right. John McDonald and Grant Green are also options at the hot corner, though Green will get a lot of action in left field.

With J.B. Shuck in Triple-A, and Josh Hamilton and Kole Calhoun on the disabled list, the Angels are down to four outfielders. One of them (Green) is a natural infielder; another (Raul Ibanez) is 41 years old and normally a designated hitter.