Ian Stewart signs minor league deal with Angels

The Angels have signed utility infielder Ian Stewart, a former Westminster La Quinta High star who was a first-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2003, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Stewart has a career .232 average with a .319 on-base percentage and .417 slugging percentage, 59 home runs and 204 runs batted in over six seasons, five with the Rockies and one with the Chicago Cubs.

The 29-year-old third baseman and second baseman was suspended for 10 games without pay by the Cubs last season for going on a Twitter rant about his reduced role in the organization, a violation of the loyalty clause in his contract.

Stewart was released June 26 and signed with the Dodgers but spent the season in the minor leagues, batting a combined .171 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 67 games for the Dodgers’ and Cubs’ triple-A affiliates. His best year was 2009, when he hit .228 with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Rockies.

If he makes the Angels, Stewart, whose career has been slowed by nagging injuries, would provide a left-handed-hitting complement to third baseman David Freese and second baseman Howie Kendrick, who both bat right-handed.

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