Angels acquire Kevin Frandsen to add middle-infield depth

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The Angels claimed utility infielder Kevin Frandsen off waivers from the Boston Red Sox to shore up an area in which they have little depth. Frandsen, a 27-year-old who spent parts of four seasons with the San Franciscio Giants, has played in 174 major league games; Hainley Statia, Gary Patchett and Nate Sutton, who are playing middle infield at triple-A Salt Lake, have played in zero big league games.

‘He can play all three infield positions and first base if he had to,’ Manager Mike Scioscia said of Frandsen, who was optioned to triple A. ‘We don’t have a lot of experience in the middle infield. He’s got some major league experience, and you always want to build depth when you can. He’s a guy who can definitely help us on the depth chart.’

Frandsen, who can also play the corner outfield spots, hit .367 in his final 32 games for the Giants in 2007 but appeared in only one game in 2008 after rupturing his left Achilles’ tendon in spring training. He played in 23 games in 2009, batting .140 (seven for 50).

--Mike DiGiovanna in Detroit