With Trout ailing, Angels acquire David DeJesus, David Murphy in trades

HOUSTON - The Los Angeles Angels have spent all year trying to find a replacement for left fielder Josh Hamilton, and in a span of 24 hours, decided to go with a three-headed monster.

The Angels acquired left-handed hitting outfielders David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays and David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, after trading for right-handed hitting outfielder Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

The Angels plan to use Victorino against left-handed starters, and then decide between DeJesus, 35, and Murphy, 33, on the right-handed side. DeJesus is considered a superior defensive outfielder to Murphy, and can also spell reigning AL MVP Mike Trout in center field.

The Angels also have protection for Trout, whose injured left wrist is more serious than anticipated. Trout underwent an MRI on his wrist Tuesday, and was diagnosed with a minor strain. Angels manager Mike Scioscia was hopeful he could return to the lineup Wednesday against the Houston Astros.

"Don't anticipate anything but we'll wait for the results,’’ Scioscia said before the game. “It looks like it's moving in the right direction.’’

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The Angels, of course, originally planned on Hamilton to be their everyday left fielder, but after a drug relapse in the off-season, he never played a game for them. The Angels traded him to the Texas Rangers in May.

DeJesus hit .259 with five homers and 26 RBI with the Rays, and Murphy batted .296 with five homers and 27 RBI in 84 games with the Indians.

“To go over to a first-place team, a great team, a tough team,’’ DeJesus said in a conference call, "that’s playing well again this year, and can go deep into the playoffs, that’s awesome.’’

The Angels traded rookie-league right-hander Eduardo Lopez, 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA, to Tampa Bay for DeJesus, while Class AA shortstop Eric Hamet went to the Indians.

While Victorino is a free agent at the season’s conclusion, the Angels have club options on DeJesus ($5 million) and Murphy ($7 million).

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