Step 1: Angels acquire outfielder Shane Victorino from Red Sox

In what they hope was their first move and not their only move before this week’s trade deadline, the Angels on Monday acquired outfielder Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox.

The Angels remain in the market for a starting left fielder, or at least one they can platoon with Victorino. They see him as outfield depth acquired at minimal cost, leaving prospects available for other trades -- not only for a left fielder, but for a relief pitcher as well.

To get Victorino, the Angels gave up triple-A infielder Josh Rutledge. The Red Sox agreed to pay all but about $1 million of Victorino’s remaining salary.

The Angels’ left fielders this season are batting .212, with five home runs and a .589 OPS, ranking last or tied for last in the majors in all three categories.

Victorino, 34, is batting .245 in 33 games this season, with one home run and a .622 OPS. He has been on the disabled list twice this year and six times in the last three years -- three times because of a strained right hamstring.

“He’s had some injuries. We know that,” Angels General Manager Bill Stoneman said. “He’s fine now. We’re only looking at a couple months left in the season.”

Victorino is expected to join the first-place Angels Tuesday in Houston for the opener of a three-game series against the second-place Astros at Minute Maid Park.

The Angels are also expected to call up Efren Navarro from triple-A Salt Lake, perhaps to platoon with Victorino. The club on Monday placed left fielder Matt Joyce on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Joyce, who is batting just .178, was injured in a collision with shortstop Erick Aybar during Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

At the least, Victorino should give the Angels a productive bat against left-handed pitching. He has an .896 OPS against left-handers and a .453 OPS against right-handers this season. In his career, his OPS is .876 against left-handers and .724 against right-handers.

That enables the Angels to broaden their search for outfield help. They still would like a full-time left fielder, but they also could get a platoon partner for Victorino.

“It could open up that possibility,” Stoneman said. “We’ll see. You still have to make that other deal, if that’s the way it ends up. And that’s not necessarily how it’s going to end up.”

The Dodgers acquired Victorino at the July trade deadline three years ago. He batted .245 with two home runs in 53 games. The Red Sox signed him as a free agent that off-season.

He played on World Series championship teams with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008 and with the Red Sox in 2013.

“You’re getting a guy who has actually been there and had some success,” Stoneman said. “He knows what the playoffs are all about, and what getting to the playoffs is all about. He’s a plus guy in the clubhouse. He’s got a lot of energy, and he’s a good defensive player.”

The Dodgers selected Victorino in the sixth round of the 1999 draft. Their first five picks that year, in order: outfielder Jason Repko, infielders Drew Meyer, Brennan King and Joe Thurston, and pitcher Phil Devey.