Infielder Joe Spiers has transferred from Hawai'i to San Diego State, his father said.

Spiers, a freshman All-American two seasons ago, will be a junior this season. He will join another former UH infielder, Troy Hanzawa, who played at Yavapai junior college last season after transferring from UH following the 2005 season.

Mike Spiers said his son wanted to be closer to his ailing mother Lilia Martinez, who lives in Moreno Valley, Calif., about an hour's drive from San Diego. The elder Spiers stressed that the transfer had nothing to do with declining playing time toward the end of last season.

Spiers started last season moving around second, short and third base after starting at shortstop as a freshman. But second baseman Jon Hee, shortstop Eli Christensen and third baseman Justin Frash all had solid seasons, making it hard for Spiers to break into the starting lineup. He batted .250, starting in 40 of the team's 62 games.

"It's what's best for Joe and we wish him the best," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

Meanwhile, center fielder Derek DuPree sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the summer and had knee surgery several weeks ago, Trapasso said. DuPree will miss fall workouts, but could be ready by the start of the coming season.

In other news, Trapasso said the Western Athletic Conference tournament will have a play-in game between the seventh- and sixth-place teams. Pending approval, Nevada will host the tournament this season, Trapasso said. He said Fresno and UH also put in bids. While UH put in the best bid, travel is a factor because the schools pay their way for baseball, Trapasso said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.