ANAHEIM -- The Angels optioned first baseman/outfielder Efren Navarro to Triple-A Salt Lake prior to Friday's game, selecting the contract of veteran reliever Ryan Mattheus to put them at 13 pitchers and 12 position players.
The Angels needed the extra bullpen arm because setup man Joe Smith has pitched in three straight games and closer Huston Street has appeared in two in a row, which likely made them unavailable for the second of a four-game series against the Astros.