Maicer E. Izturis (born September 12, 1980 in
Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela) is a Major
League Baseball infielder who plays for the Los
Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He bats switch and throws
right-handed.
Izturis is the half brother of St. Louis Cardinals
shortstop César Izturis. He was signed by the
Cleveland Indians as a non-drafted free agent on
April 1, 1998 and was traded to the Montreal Expos
at the end of the 2003 season.
In 2004, Izturis hit .338 with three home runs and
36 RBI for the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers before
being promoted to the Major League level with the
Montréal Expos. He registered a hit in his August
27, 2004 debut, singling off San Diego Padres
right-hander Dennis Tankersley in the second inning.
In 32 games with the Expos, Izturis hit .206
(22-for-107) with one home run and 14 RBI.
On November 19, 2004, Iztúris was traded to the
Angels along with outfielder Juan Rivera for
outfielder José Guillén.
Though a shortstop by trade, Gold Glover Orlando
Cabrera occupied that position on the Angels roster,
relegating Izturis to the role of a utility
infielder. After the placement of veteran Darin
Erstad on the disabled list, the Angels moved star
utilityman Chone Figgins to center field during the
2006 campaign, and Izturis has emerged as the club's
starting third baseman.
In the game against the Cleveland Indians on July
17, 2006, he had a career high four hits in one
game, going 4-5 with 1 RBI and 3 runs.
