The Los Angeles Angels made their latest big move Friday, acquiring ace pitcher Zack Greinke from the Milwaukee Brewers for rookie shortstop Jean Segura and two minor leaguers.
By winning the sweepstakes for Greinke, perhaps the biggest arm available before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the aggressive Angels followed up a huge offseason highlighted by the additions of free agent stars Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.
‘‘It should be fun. They are a great team,’’ Greinke said in Milwaukee after the deal was completed. ‘‘After the first month of the season, they have been one of the best teams in baseball. There is a lot of talent there. A lot of great players. The pitching staff will be pretty incredible.’’
Greinke joins an outstanding rotation that includes three other All-Stars in Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Wilson. The Angels began the day five games behind first-place Texas in the American League West but in position for a wild card.
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To land Greinke, Los Angeles also sent Double A righthanders Ariel Pena and Johnny Hellweg to Milwaukee.
‘‘I tried to narrow it down to four or five teams and then as we moved on zeroed in on three teams and then it got down to two teams at the end,’’ Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said. ‘‘We had two good offers. It was very close between the two teams at the end.’’
Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, is 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts for Milwaukee this season. The 28-year-old righthander can become a free agent after the World Series.
Greinke was scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Brewers. Instead, he said he thinks he'll start that day for the Angels — though he hadn’t finalized his travel plans yet.
Segura, 22, considered one of the best prospects in the Angels’ system, was called up to the big leagues Tuesday.
Baseball America ranked Hellweg as the Angels’ fourth-best prospect going into this season. Pena was rated ninth. Both pitchers are 23.
All three new acquisitions for the Brewers are headed to Double A Huntsville.
Garza given a break
Cubs righthander Matt Garza, considered one of the top starters available on the trade market, won’t pitch again before Tuesday’s trade deadline after an MRI revealed a slight fluid buildup in his right triceps area.
Garza (5-7, 3.91 ERA) left his start last Saturday after three innings when he experienced cramps. Manager Dale Sveum said the MRI ‘‘came back real clean,’’ and if Garza is able to complete his throwing program without difficulty over the next few days, the righthander could return late next week.
Giants add Scutaro
The Giants acquired veteran infielder Marco Scutaro from the Rockies in exchange for minor league infielder Charlie Culberson. Scutaro is hitting .271 with four home runs and 30 RBIs in 95 games this season, his first with Colorado after spending two years with the Red Sox . . . The Rockies welcomed back first baseman Todd Helton from the disabled list after he missed 12 games with inflammation in his left hip. Helton entered play Friday batting a career-low .235 . . . Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was placed on the 15-day DL after aggravating a right thumb injury during batting practice before Friday’s game against the Indians. Danny Valencia, who lost his job to Plouffe early in the season, was recalled from Triple A Rochester . . . The Phillies recalled infielder Kevin Frandsen from Triple A Lehigh Valley after putting third baseman Placido Polanco on the 15-day DL with lower-back inflammation . . . The Rangers pushed back Roy Oswalt’s next start from Sunday to Monday as he continues to recover from tightness in his back. Scott Feldman was pushed up to start Sunday for Texas . . . The Braves signed righthander Miguel Batista, 41, to a minor league contract.