Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters (including The Athletic’s Sam Blum) today the catcher there Logan O’Hoppe has a labia majora in her left shoulder (no throw) and will require surgery. The 23-year-old catcher, who has was put on the injured list 10 days agois expected to be out for four to six months, potentially putting his season in jeopardy.
O’Hoppe is buy by the Angels on last season’s trading deadline in the midfield deal Brandon Swamp to the Phillies. Agreed to be the top 50 prospects in the sport entering the 2023 season, O’Hoppe has earned a job as a main catcher for the Camp Angels this season despite only having 5 games of experience in the league. big fight as maximum start the season on the injury list. The youngster has had an impressive start to the season, with a slash score of 0.283/.339/ .547 in 16 matches, which equates to a wRC+ of 142.
The loss of such an effective racket for most, if not all, of the rest of the season is a blow to the Angels, who have seen most of the time. Their attack is difficult outside the superstars Mike the salmon And Shohei Ohtaniwith only O’Hoppe and midfielders Renfroe Hunter posted wRC+ above average so far this season among the club’s remaining offenses.
Aside from losing O’Hoppe’s cane, the Angels now find themselves without their usual half-parallel start, as Stassi doesn’t appear to be close to returning from a hip disease that has sidelined him in the early part of the game. Season. Until Stassi returns, the Angels will use Matt Thaisswho opened the season as the club’s third starter and journeyman Chad Wallach behind the plate. Neither of those picks offer the same confidence as O’Hoppe, as Wallach has only hit 59 wRC+ in 274 career appearances since making his MLB debut with the Reds in 2017, while Thaiss has just started. starting in 2021 and has a career wRC+ of 81 out of 298 number plate appearances.
Given the troubling situation behind Anaheim’s title, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the club explore outside catching options to supplement their current team. Chirinos Robinson And Austin Romine available on the free agency market, while Gary Sanchez And Jorge Alfaro is one of a number of catchers with significant major league experience who are on minor league contracts with other organisations.
