Red Sox trade Shane Victorino to Angels for Josh Rutledge

The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge, Boston announced Monday.

The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge, Boston announced Monday. The Angels also received cash considerations. 

Outfielder Rusney Castillo, who Boston signed to a $72.5 million contract last summer, was called up from Triple A to take Victorino’s spot on the roster. 

Victorino, 34, is batting .245 in 33 games and has spent time on the disabled list with injuries to his calf and hamstring. He is batting .231 with no extra-base hits since being activated earlier this month. Injuries limited him to just 30 games last season. 

Rutledge, 26, is batting .274 in Triple A after batting .269 in 105 games last year for the Colorado Rockies. He is primarily a shortstop but can also play second and third base. 

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The Pittsburgh Pirates had reportedly been targeting Victorino and Boston first baseman Mike Napoli via trade.

Victorino will be a free agent after this season, while Rutledge is under team control through 2018. 

The Red Sox are 12 games out of first place in the AL East and 8 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot, while the Angels hold a one-game lead over the Houston Astros in the AL West. 

- Dan Gartland