INF Sean Coyle was sent outright to Double-A Arkansas. Coyle was designated for assignment by the Angels on Aug. 13.

INF Sean Coyle was designated for assignment by the Angels.

2B Sean Coyle was claimed off waivers by the Angels from the Red Sox. Coyle, 24, was batting .165 (36-for-218) with 86 strikeouts at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. He has yet to play in the major leagues after being drafted by Boston in the third round in 2010. Los Angeles optioned him to Double-A Arkansas.

2B Sean Coyle was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels from Boston and optioned him to Double-A Arkansas. Coyle has spent the season with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.

INF Sean Coyle was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Friday.

Coyle returned to the Triple-A Pawucket lineup Monday night after missing nearly a month with left-elbow inflammation. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a loss to Charlotte.

Coyle on the disabled list is nothing new -- it's been annual occurrence the past three seasons. He has an intriguing bat for a middle infielder, with 16 homers in each of the past two seasons despite the injuries, but has fallen to .151/.262/.329 in his first full season at the Triple-A level.

Coyle hit his team-high fourth homer of the season for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

Coyle is experiencing this level for the first time in his career, so we'd expect some struggles. He's batting just .213 while striking out in 27 percent of his plate appearances, but has retained the power showcased in lower levels.

Coyle homered for the second straight game Friday for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Coyle is an intriguing bat, particularly if he sticks at middle infield, who is making his introduction to the Triple-A level this season. He has just five hits, batting .179 through eight games, but three have been homers. He's an aggressive swinger that's walked in 10 percent of his plate appearances over six seasons, but has five free passes in 34 plate appearances (15%) this season. Coyle's bat will be his path to the majors.

Coyle had a homer and two RBI in five at-bats for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday.

Coyle has opened the season at second base, his natural position, after the organization toyed with the idea of him playing third last season. He has an impact bat that will play better as a middle infielder.

Coyle was optioned to the minors Wednesday, Sean McAdam of CSN New England reports.

With the ability to play multiple infield positions, Coyle could eventually land a utility role with the Red Sox, but the current roster clutter likely won't make that possible this season. Instead, after swatting 16 homers and posting a .371 on-base percentage at Double-A Portland last season, look for Coyle to make the leap to Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015.

Coyle (mouth) returned to action Friday against the Yankees and went 0-for-1.

Coyle, who took a foul ball off the mouth earlier this week, filled in at second base for Dustin Pedroia.

Coyle was scratched from Sunday's lineup after taking a foul ball off the mouth in pre-game batting practice, the Boston Globe reports.

Coyle, who was scheduled to start at third base, was replaced in the lineup by Jemile Weeks.

Coyle made his spring-training debut Thursday, going hitless in one at-bat and stealing a base against the Twins.

Coyle, who came up through the system as a second baseman, was converted to third base last year and played there Thursday night. Given that both second and third base at the majors are filled with players on multi-year contracts, plus the addition of Yoan Moncada, there's no realistic path for advancement to the majors for Coyle. As a backup infielder at those positions, maybe, but it won't be surprising to see him part of a deal down the road.

Coyle changed up his workout routine in the offseason, doing "a lot of things based around functional movement," the Portland Press Herald reports.

Coyle is looking to become more efficient in his movements and incorporate that into his baseball training. The end-game here is to avoid injuries, something Coyle has struggled to do that past two seasons. He played just 54 games in 2013 and 97 in 2014.

Coyle will participate in Boston's Rookie Development Program next week, WEEI.com reports.

The program is designed to help players make the transition to major league players. It's also a sign of the organization's confidence in a young player.

The Red Sox added Coyle to their 40-man roster Thursday, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reports.

A third-round pick in 2010, Coyle broke out at Double-A Portland in 2014, slashing .295/.371/.512 with 16 homers and 13 stolen bases in 97 games. He did benefit from a .362 BABIP, but the 22-year-old showed more than enough to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft and could be an option for the big club late in 2015 if Pablo Sandoval signs elsewhere.

Coyle finished up the Double-A campaign batting .295 with 16 homers and 13 steals.

Coyle boasted a high average early in the season that steadily came down (.336 before the All-Star Break; .218 after). That and his 95 strikeouts in 336 at-bats argue the average isn't to be believed, but he's clearly got some power for a middle infielder.

Coyle, 22, is batting .315/.386/.538 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and 13 steals through 80 games for Double-A Portland.

It's been a sensational season for Coyle, though he never hit over .250 in any single year in the Boston system before 2014. In other words, his average may be slightly fluky. However, he does have double-digit power and speed.