Angels Trade Howell to Padres and Get Outfielder Shawn Abner

Three years after he started at third base in the Angels’ “infield of the future,” Jack Howell became a part of the Angels’ past.

Howell, who lost his starting job when Gary Gaetti was signed last winter and then saw his utility role vanish, was traded to the San Diego Padres Tuesday for outfielder Shawn Abner.

Abner, 25, was chosen by the New York Mets as the first overall pick in the 1984 draft. He was traded to San Diego in 1986 after he hit .266 for double-A Jackson. He was the Padres’ opening day center fielder this season but lost that role because of his weak bat.

Abner batted .165 with one home run and five runs batted in over 53 games, and his career average is .207 with seven homers and 46 RBIs. He is expected to share center field with Dave Gallagher while Junior Felix recuperates from a calf muscle injury and is expected to join the Angels today in Detroit.

Howell, shortstop Dick Schofield, second baseman Mark McLemore and first baseman Wally Joyner were proclaimed the Angels’ infield of the ‘90s in 1988 by then-general manager Mike Port. McLemore was sent to the Cleveland Indians last year, and Howell’s departure dismantles half of that infield.

After starting only once since July 1, Howell asked for a trade.

Howell batted .228 in 1990 for the second successive year and .210 in 32 games this season. He made only seven starts at third, splitting his time among first base, second base, right field, left field and pinch-hitting.