ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) _ The Los Angeles Angels optioned first baseman Kendry Morales to triple-A Salt Lake following Wednesday night's 9-1 victory over Tampa Bay and said they intend to bring up infielder Brandon Wood from their Pacific Coast League club.
Wood, a first-round pick in the 2003 amateur draft, batted .278 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 20 games with Salt Lake while playing mostly at third base. Last season with double-A Arkansas, the Austin, Texas native hit .276 with 25 homers, 42 doubles and 83 RBIs. He has not played in the major leagues and will join the Angels on Thursday.
``It's probably short term, but you never know,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``Right now we're going to need some more infield coverage. A couple of guys have been playing a lot and are showing some signs of maybe needing a day off here and there. Having Brandon at third base is going to give us flexibility and a little more depth.''
To make room on the 40-man roster for Wood, the Angels will transfer outfielder-designated hitter Juan Rivera from the 15- to the 60-day DL. Rivera broke his left leg on Dec. 27 while playing winter ball.
