Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels designated right-hander Chris Bootcheck for assignment on Thursday to make room on their 40-man roster for infielder Shea Hillenbrand.
The 28-year-old Bootcheck was 0-1 with a 10.45 ERA in seven games for the Angels and 4-3 with one save and a 6.72 ERA in 40 games for Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League last season. He was on the disabled list from May 3-23 with a strained left hamstring.
The Angels selected Bootcheck with the 20th overall pick in the 2000 amateur draft. He is 0-3 with a 5.59 ERA in three starts and 13 relief appearances with them in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
Hillenbrand agreed to a $6.5 million, one-year contract Dec. 26. He will earn $6 million next year and the Angels hold a $6.5 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout. The option could become guaranteed based on his plate appearances next season.
The 31-year-old Hillenbrand hit .277, with a career-high 21 home runs and 68 RBIs in 141 games while playing for Toronto and San Francisco last season.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-01-04-07 1405MST
