ANAHEIM -- In the wake of the news that Andrelton Simmons will require left thumb surgery, the Angels acquired slick-fielding shortstop Brendan Ryan from the Nationals, the club announced on Tuesday.
Ryan was expected to join the Angels prior to the opener of their three-game series against the Cardinals on Tuesday night.
The Angels announced on Monday that Simmons has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, which will probably put the premier defender on the shelf for at least two months.
Ryan was batting .263/.275/.333 for the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, but he is considered a world-class defender.