Banged-up Angels put reliever Joe Smith on DL, recall Morin

NEW YORK (AP) The banged-up Los Angeles Angels placed reliever Joe Smith on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, one of several roster moves Tuesday as they reshuffled their depleted pitching staff.

Mike Morin was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, and fellow right-hander Javy Guerra was designated for assignment to make room for left-hander David Huff.

Huff had his contract selected from Triple-A and started against the New York Yankees in place of right-hander Nick Tropeano, sidelined with shoulder tightness.

Tropeano is one of 11 Angels on the disabled list, including six pitchers. That doesn't even count lefty Tyler Skaggs, who is on Salt Lake's disabled list while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

During the game, Los Angeles acquired minor league reliever Jose Valdez from Detroit for cash. The right-hander, who made seven big league appearances with the Tigers last year, was optioned to Salt Lake.

Smith, who is 1-3 with a 3.91 ERA and six saves in 25 appearances, was put on the DL retroactive to Sunday. The team hopes 15 days off will be enough to heal his hamstring and get Smith ''where he needs to be,'' manager Mike Scioscia said.

''We thought he could still pitch, but he's really putting all the stress on his arm and it's just going to be a matter of time before he compromises his health there,'' Scioscia explained.

Guerra had no record and a 5.68 ERA in seven relief outings. He allowed six walks and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Morin relieved Huff in the fourth inning and retired all five batters he faced. The right-hander was 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 25 games with the Angels earlier this season. He was optioned to Salt Lake on May 30.

Skaggs is scheduled to throw five innings Wednesday, his final outing at extended spring training in Arizona before joining Triple-A Salt Lake for a rehab assignment.

The 26-year-old Valdez has spent this season with Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. He is 16-19 with a 3.32 ERA in 240 minor league games.

Valdez made his big league debut on July 31 last year. He pitched nine innings in the majors and had a 4.00 ERA.

To create space for Valdez on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated left-hander Chris Jones for assignment.