C.J. Cron needs to play regularly, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
That opportunity with the Angels hasn't been available recently thanks to Cron's struggles to start the season. As a result, Cron was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday. Utilityman Grant Green has been recalled.
Cron did not play in five of the club's last nine games including the walk-off win over the Padres at Angel Stadium on Memorial Day.
He's hitting .204 this season with a home run and six RBI as the team's primary designated hitter.
Since Marc Krauss was called up earlier this month, he's played in 10 of a possible 13 games. Nine of those appearances have been as a starter at either first base or the as the team's designated hitter âgetting at-bats that were previously designated for Cron.
During spring training Cron hit .413 and appeared prime for a breakout season but that never carried over to the regular season.
"He's a guy we had high hopes for coming out of spring training," Scioscia said of Cron. "He had a terrific spring and (we) still have high hopes he's going to get into his game and contribute and be a part of what we know is our need for an offensive resurgence and hopefully he'll get the at-bats and get there."
Green has been recalled for the second time this season. He was 2-for-6 with three runs scored during his brief time with the Angels earlier this season.
