NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Angels acquired outfielder Collin Cowgill from the New York Mets for minor leaguer Kyle Johnson on Tuesday.
The spunky Cowgill started in centre field for the Mets on opening day and hit a grand slam, but was unable to build on his big start and was demoted to the minors in early May. After being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 11, he was designated for assignment a week later.
The 27-year-old Cowgill batted .180 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 23 games for New York. He is a .237 career hitter with four home runs and 26 RBIs in 97 major league games during three seasons with the Diamondbacks, Athletics and Mets. He has played all three outfield positions.
The Angels said Cowgill will be optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, they transferred reliever Ryan Madson from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
Johnson, 23, was hitting .310 with two homers, 30 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 68 games with Class-A Burlington in the Midwest League. The Mets said they will send the outfielder to Class-A Savannah of the South Atlantic League.
Johnson was drafted in the 25th round by the Angels last year out of Washington State.
