ANAHEIM -- The Angels were unable to slip veteran backup catcher Drew Butera through waivers, so on Thursday, they did the next best thing, flipping him to the Royals for Minor League infielder Ryan Jackson.
Jackson will report to Triple-A Salt Lake and will add middle-infield depth to an organization that has recently seen three shortstops -- Eric Stamets with Double-A Arkansas, Roberto Baldoquin with Advanced Class A Inland Empire and Jake Yacinich with Class A Burlington -- be placed on the disabled list with injuries to their non-throwing shoulders.
Butera was designated for assignment on Monday, when the Angels called up the hot-hitting Carlos Perez to share time behind the plate with Chris Iannetta.