Rutledge cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

EDGE Analysis

Rutledge spent most of the season at the Triple-A level, slashing .274/.323/.403 and had some success at the major league level to the tune of a .284 average in 74 at bats. It looks unlikely though that he'll enter camp with much of a chance to make the major league roster out of spring training.

Rutledge was designated for assignment Friday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutledge slashed a respectable .284/.333/.338 in 39 games with the big league club in 2015, but was a casualty of the team needing to clear space on the 40-man roster. He should be able to see some time as a utility infield option in 2016, but could once again spend the majority of the season in the minors.

Rutledge was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. Rutledge played his way to the minor leagues, as he was widely expected to be the Opening Day second baseman coming into camp, but finished the Cactus League with with just 10 hits in 54 at-bats, leaving the door open for Johnny Giavotella to take the spot. There is a chance that Rutledge may get another shot if Giavotella, who has just 465 plate appearances in four years at the major league level, struggles, but the Angels will likely give him some room to breathe after posting a .910 OPS in 25 games during spring training.

Rutledge (hamstring) returned to the lineup in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Giants, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Rutledge's spring struggles continued Sunday, as he is now carrying a .506 OPS with nine strikeouts in 34 at-bats. Rutledge was considered the favorite to be the Angels' starting second baseman in 2015, but If Johnny Giavotella can continue to produce in the final two weeks of camp, he may emerge as the clear favorite.

Rutledge has missed the last three days due to tightness in his hamstring, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. This is the first we've heard of the injury, but manager Mike Scioscia said he does not expect Rutledge to be sidelined long, as he is slated to return Sunday. Rutledge has struggled this spring after coming into camp as the top candidate for the everyday second baseman's job, tallying just a .552 OPS in 32 at-bats.

Rutledge did not get an at-bat in Friday's Cactus League outing against the Indians. Johnny Giavotella received the start in his stead, going 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored. Rutledge was likely the odds on favorite to win the job of everyday second baseman entering camp, but he has really struggled this spring, tallying just one extra-base hit in 31 at-bats while striking out eight times.

Rutledge got the start at second base in the Cactus League opener against the Brewers on Thursday, going 1-for-2 with an RBI single in the contest. Rutledge got the first chance at what is set to be a four-man audition at the keystone to replace Howie Kendrick. While the fact that he got first dibs doesn't necessarily mean he has a leg up on the competition, it is worth noting that Rutledge has the most experience of all the candidates, and could provide some power in what is traditionally a light-hitting position, as he carries a career ISO of .144.

Rutledge will compete for the Angels' starting job at second base this spring, the Los Angeles Times reports. The competition figures to include Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella, and Tayloer Featherston. Eventually, Roberto Baldoquin could be an option, but he'll be in minor league camp this spring and is expected to open the year at High-A. Rutledge has shown a variety of offensive tools in parts of three seasons with the Rockies, but he hasn't been able to offer power and speed in the same season after doing as much in his first taste of the big leagues with Colorado in 2012.

Rutledge was traded to the Angels late Wednesday in exchange for reliever Jairo Diaz, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Though he once seemed headed for a long-term starting role for the Rockies after a strong MLB debut in 2012, Rutledge failed to convince the team he was a viable middle infield option last season when he served as the primary replacement for the injured Troy Tulowitzki, batting .269 with four homers and two stolen bases across 342 plate appearances. With the Angels sending Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers in a separate deal Wednesday, it looks like Rutledge could be the leading candidate at the moment to take over second base duties with his new club. However, it wouldn't be surprising if the Angels brought in a more proven commodity in the spring to challenge Rutledge for the starting role, given his meager big league track record.

Rutledge went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers. After going 1-for-12 over the first five games of the Rockies' season-ending road trip, Rutledge ended on a high note, riding the three-hit performance to a .269/.323/.405 batting line for the season. With Troy Tulowitzki (hip) slated to return to the shortstop spot in 2015, Rutledge will more than likely have to compete for a starting job at second base against DJ LeMahieu for the third straight spring.