The Los Angeles Angels made a pair of moves today, first placing second baseman Howie Kendrick on the DL with a right hamstring strain, and second signing and activating slugging-when-he-makes-contact first baseman Russell Branyan, who was recently let go by the Arizona Diamondbacks. While it's not as if Branyan will fill in at second base -- though that would sure get me to watch more Angels games! -- he does take Kendrick's roster spot.
Howie Kendrick Injury Sends Second Baseman To DL; Angels Sign Russell Branyan
Kendrick was off to a fantastic start for the Angels, hitting .322/.388/.520 over 177 at-bats, but he tweaked his hamstring last Thursday. While he was originally day-to-day, the Angels just couldn't wait around any longer. In Kendrick's absence, the Angels have been using a combination of Maicer Izturis and Alexi Amarista at second base.
Branyan will likely help out at first base, alongside powerful rookie Mark Trumbo in some approximation of a lefty/righty platoon.
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