Franklin Barreto activated by Angels

Newcomer Franklin Barreto, who was acquired from the Athletics on Friday in the Tommy La Stella trade, was activated by the Angels before Wednesday’s game, and will likely see time all over the field with his new team.

“He needs to play second, short, and third, and we wanted to get some work in the outfield too. So literally everywhere,” manager Joe Maddon said on a conference call Wednesday. “Whether you’re dealing with a guy in rookie ball — which I did for many years — or I guy like this you’re just getting, you give him a chance to be who he is.”

Barreto has only played second base and shortstop in the majors, though he played nine games in center field and two more in left field in Triple-A in 2019, and has played 27 total games in center and left in his Venezuelan winter league career.

With the A’s, Barreto only started once this season, but appeared in 15 games. Seven of his outings were strictly as a pinch runner, and he only totaled 10 at-bats with Oakland. He was 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts.

It might be a little bit before Barreto plays regularly. He last played with Oakland on August 26, and his intake process in joining the Angels took longer than usual while MLB was sorting through the A’s positive COVID-19 test over the weekend. Oakland’s last game was Sunday, and their games through Thursday were postponed.

“The last few days I was working at pretty much every position,” Barreto said Wednesday, through a translator. “We’re going to practice at every position so I can get a better opportunity to play.”

To make room on the active roster for Barreto, the Angels optioned infielder Jahmai Jones to the alternate training site in Long Beach, and designated pitcher Ryan Buchter for assignment.