:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44321278/usa-today-8061989.0.jpg)
Blocked no more by Troy Tulowitzki in Colorado, Josh Rutledge was traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Jairo Díaz.
A veteran of three major league seasons, Rutledge set career highs across the board in 2014, hitting .269/.323/.405 in 105 games, primarily at shortstop. For his career, the 25-year-old former University of Alabama standout has hit .259/.308/.403 in 947 plate appearances. With Howie Kendrick dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, Rutledge may now enjoy an opportunity for a regular role with the Halos.
Heading to Colorado is the hard-throwing Díaz, who split 2014 between High-A Inland Empire and Double-A Arkansas before appearing in five games for the Angels in September. With a fastball that clocks near 100 MPH, the 23-year-old combined for 85 strikeouts in 64.2 innings spread across 56 appearances in the minors. The native Venezuelan was signed by the Angels as an amateur free agent in 2007.