Angels Trade Infielder Andrew Romine to Tigers for Lefty Jose Alvarez

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels have traded long-time infield reserve Andrew Romine to the Detroit Tigers for left-hander Jose Alvarez, both teams announced Friday.

Romine, 28, is a career .250/.303/.270 hitter in 74 games with the Angels over four seasons. Kept primarily for his defense, Romine’s lack of playing time is due to his inefficiency at the plate and Erick Aybar’s consistency at shortstop.

With the offseason acquisition of third baseman David Freese, and utility infielders Grant Green and John McDonald vying for a bench role, Romine was expendable. He expects to split playing time with Hernan Perez and Danny Worth in the wake of shortstop Jose Iglesias’ season-ending injury.

In their scramble to replace Iglesias, the Tigers trade Alvarez to an Angels team looking for pitching depth. The 24-year-old Venezuelan started six games and pitched in eight others last season, posting a 5.82 ERA. Named the Tigers’ 2013 Minor League Player of the Year, Alvarez carried a 2.80 ERA through 128 1/3 inning at the Triple-A level.

With question marks filling the back end of the Angels starting rotation, Alvarez may replace Tyler Skaggs or Joe Blanton if either fails to improve.