By DAN GREENSPAN
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) _ The Houston Astros acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Los Angeles Angels in a trade Thursday.
The Angels received left-hander Patrick Sandoval and international bonus pool money in return.
Maldonado’s contributions behind the plate helped the Angels’ starters post a 3.77 ERA, which ranks fifth in the American League despite numerous injuries and significant inexperience in their rotation. A Gold Glove winner last season, Maldonado is also hitting .223 with 32 RBIs in 78 games.
Maldonado, who signed a one-year contract in January to avoid arbitration, understood that a trade was possible given the Angels’ struggles to stay in contention in the top-heavy American League West.