The Boston Red Sox traded injury-plagued outfielder Shane Victorino and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for minor-league infielder Josh Rutledge, the Red Sox announced Monday.
To fill Victorino’s spot on the 25-man roster, Boston recalled outfielder Rusney Castillo from Triple-A Pawtucket. Castillo was scheduled to start Monday night at Fenway Park against the Chicago White Sox.
Victorino, 34, hit .245 with one homer and four RBIs in just 33 games for the Red Sox this season. He has spent much of the season on the disabled list, first because of a hamstring injury and later with a calf problem.
Victorino was limited to 30 games last season because of hamstring and back problems, but was a pivotal member of Boston’s 2013 World Series championship team as he hit .294 with 15 homers and 61 RBIs.
Victorino also helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008 and has compiled a .276 career average in his 14 MLB seasons with 108 homers, 486 RBIs and a .341 on-base percentage.
Rutledge, 26, played with the Colorado Rockies from 2012 to 2014. He hit .265 in 105 games last year.
He began the 2015 season on the Angels’ Triple-A Salt Lake roster and has hit .274 with five homers and 32 RBIs for the Bees.
Castillo, 28, has made 26 appearances for the Red Sox this season, hitting .230 with one home run.
Mets acquire Clippard from A’s
The Oakland Athletics traded right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard to the New York Mets for minor-league right-hander Casey Meisner on Monday.
Clippard, who stepped in as Oakland’s closer after Sean Doolittle was injured, has 17 saves and a 2.79 ERA. He signed a one-year, $8.3 million contract in February after the A’s had acquired him from the Washington Nationals in January.
Last season for the Nationals, Clippard was 7-4 with one save and a 2.18 ERA in 75 games. He was named to the All-Star team for the second time in his nine seasons.
Clippard, 30, is expected to be the setup man for Mets closer Jeurys Familia.
Meisner, 20, was a third-round pick of the Mets in 2013. In 18 games for the Mets’ Class A teams this year, he is 10-4 with a 2.35 ERA.
Cubs release Jackson
The Chicago Cubs released right-hander Edwin Jackson, but they must still pay the approximately $15 million remaining on his four-year, $52 million contract.
Jackson, 31, is now a free agent and can sign with any club.
The Cubs used Jackson as a starter in 2013 and 2014, and he was just 14-33 with a 5.58 ERA in that role. He had more success as a reliever this season, going 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 23 appearances.
Royals acquire Reds’ Cueto
The Kansas City Royals lead the American League Central and now have a frontman for their starting rotation in Johnny Cueto.
The Royals snagged Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds for three minor league left-handers — Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed.
Cueto, a 20-game winner last year, is 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA this season. He is scheduled to make his first start for Kansas City on Friday.