ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Speaking to reporters Friday night, a couple of hours following leaving the Angels series opener against Texas in the third inning after being hit by a pitch, David Freese said his right middle finger was still "kind of throbbing."
Freese wore a splint after an x-ray revealed he had a small, non-displaced fracture the middle finger of his right hand. He was hopeful a trip to the DL wasn't needed.
On Saturday morning, according to Angels manager Mike Scioscia, Freese's finger was "really sore."
He was placed on the 15-day DL, one of many transactions made by the club.
J.B. Shuck has been sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake City. C.J. Cron has been selected to the Major League roster. He will DH and bat fifth when the Angels take on the Rangers at 6 p.m. on FOX Sports West.
Luis Jimenez has been recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. He will start at third base in place of the injured Freese and bat eighth. Also, reliever Yoslan Herrera has been outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Grant Green, who was called up Friday and also saw some action at third after Freese left with his injury, is in the lineup as well and will bat ninth and play left field.
Josh Hamilton hopes Angels will compromise on return date
The loss of Freese, however, is a punch to the gut for the team because he was just starting to turn things around at the plate. He goes to the DL carrying a six-game hitting streak. After a start to the season in which he hit just .136 in the first 16 games, he heated up to hit .360 in his last eight games.
"I was starting to feel it a little bit but I think I figured out a few things that when I come back, hopefully, can jump right back into it," Freese said after Friday night's loss.
Scioscia says team doctors are "encouraged" Freese won't have to be on the DL for "an excessive amount of time."
