Los Angeles Angels Zack Cozart likely to miss the rest of 2018
The Los Angeles Angels suffered a major injury blow on Wednesday night as they lost their starting third baseman, most likely for the rest of the season
The Los Angeles Angels have fought through injuries all season long in their fight to remain in the playoff race in a very contentious American League West race with the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners. Wednesday may have been the biggest of the season thus far, however.
Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Angels found out that their starting third baseman Zack Cozart will require surgery on his left shoulder to repair a torn labrum. While this is not his throwing shoulder, he will not be able to swing, and the recovery time is typically such that he will almost certainly miss the rest of the season.
Zack Cozart came to the Los Angeles Angels after a “career year” in his last season with the Cincinnati Reds, making his first All-Star team, finishing with a .297/.385/.548 line and 24 home runs. Thus far in 2018 before he was injured, Cozart had struggled at the plate, with a .219/.296/.362 line with 5 home runs in 253 plate appearances.
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Who can help internally?
The Los Angeles Angels have given plenty of time to Luis Valbuena at first base and third base this season, and he’s hit at a similar level as Zack Cozart so far, with a .216/.262/.366 line with 9 home runs over 229 plate appearances.
Jefry Marte is on the disabled list and has spent time at first and third base with a wrist sprain. He’s shown excellent power this season, with a .262/.311/.440 line with 3 home runs over 90 plate appearances.
Finally, the most recent spark plug has been infielder David Fletcher, who made an incredible showing in the minor leagues this season before coming up and hitting very well so far, with a .318/.375/.409 line over 24 plate appearances. He has the ability to play second base, third base, and shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels.
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The Los Angeles Angels certainly suffered a major blow in losing Zack Cozart. It will be interesting to see how the team chooses to address that loss, whether using internal options or possibly pursuing a trade partner, making the MLB Trade Deadline even more important for the Angels.