ANAHEIM -- The Angels claimed Minor League infielder Ronald Torreyes off waivers from the Yankees on Monday, a move that prompted them to designate lefty reliever Bobby LaFromboise for assignment.
Torreyes, 23, appeared in eight games with the Dodgers in 2015 and is a .298/.353/.409 hitter in his six-year Minor League career. The right-handed hitter has spent the majority of his time at second base, and he could challenge Johnny Giavotella for the everyday job in Spring Training, though Giavotella is out of options and is coming off a solid season offensively as the starter.
Rey Navarro (claimed off waivers in December), Gregorio Petit (signed to a Minor League deal earlier this month) and Taylor Featherston (plucked in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft and now optionable) could also factor into that mix. Utility infielder Cliff Pennington, signed to a two-year, $3.75 million contract in November, could also get some at-bats as the starting second baseman.
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Torreyes was originally signed by the Reds out of Venezuela in 2010, and he has been with five organizations over the past eight months. He began the '15 season with the Astros, then was purchased by the Blue Jays in May and purchased by the Dodgers in June. Los Angeles then flipped him to New York in a trade on Jan. 12, and the Yankees then designated him for assignment three days later, prompting the Angels to pick him up.
Torreyes, who also has experience at shortstop and third base, hit .261/.308/.347 in 110 Minor League games this past season.
LaFromboise was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on Dec. 23, and he has a 3.63 ERA in 27 Major League appearances from 2013-15. The 29-year-old had a 2.98 ERA in 54 Triple-A appearances last season, but walked 3.5 batters per nine innings. The move leaves Jose Alvarez and Rob Rasmussen as the only lefty relievers on the 40-man roster.