Angels trim roster through reassignments and options

By Kevin Baxter

March 30, 2013 12 AM PT

After setting their opening-day roster Saturday, the Angels announced several personnel moves following their 2-1 exhibition win over the Dodgers at Angel Stadium.

Infielders Efren Navarro and Luis Rodriguez, catcher Chris Snyder and left-hander Mitch Stetter were all reassigned and catcher John Hester, infielder Luis Jimenez, right-hander David Carpenter and outfielder Kole Calhoun were optioned to triple-A Salt Lake.

Pitchers Ryan Madson and Andrew Taylor were placed on the disabled list.

Snyder, who came over from the Washington Nationals two weeks ago when the Angels grew concerned over Hank Conger’s throwing problems, has an opt-out clause that allows him to become a free agent if he’s not on the team’s opening-day roster. But Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday that General Manager Jerry Dipoto was talking with Snyder’s agent to see if he would accept a minor league job.

“We had a conversation with Chris today. And he understands some of the things that he needs to get back to. And he has the ability to do that,” Scioscia said. “We’ll see how it progresses with Chris, whether he has another opportunity for another big-league job or he’s going to stay in our organization.

“We’re not sure yet.”

Snyder, 32, played in only six games with the Angels, getting one hit in five at-bats.

Navarro, 26, who played for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, hit .235 for the Angels; Rodriguez, 32, hit .304 in 46 at-bats.

Stetter, 32, who pitched in 132 games in parts of five seasons with the Brewers, didn’t make his spring debut until March 17 and pitched only 3 1/3 innings for the Angels.

Hester, 29, hit .231 in 26 at-bats; Jimenez, 24, who was competing for a bench job most of the spring, hit .244 in 45 at-bats. The lefty-hitting Calhoun, 25, also in the competition for a bench job until the last week, struggled at the plate as he batted .178 but drove in 10 runs.

Carpenter, 25, pitched shutout ball in eight of his first nine appearances but then gave up four runs in his final 3 2/3 innings of the spring.

ALSO:

Season preview: Angels can’t thrive on star power alone

Major League Baseball season could be time for the locals

Interactive graphic: The many dimensions of baseball’s parks