MLB Weekly Digest July 2nd Edition

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The prior week in MLB was about a team in the American League receiving encouraging news regarding one of their injured players, an All-Star shortstop is placed on the disabled list, and a third baseman undergoes shoulder surgery.

Los Angeles Angels Superstar Shohei Ohtani Cleared for Hitting

The Los Angeles Angels received stellar news this week about two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler mentioned to reporters that doctors have cleared Ohtani to start hitting. However, Otani will be re-evaluated in three weeks to determine if he can pitch again in 2018, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Shohei Ohtani can start hitting again, and will be re-evaluated in three weeks whether he’ll pitch again this season, #Angels GM Billy Eppler says

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 28, 2018

This is tremendous news for the Angels as Ohtani was a very productive member of the lineup before being placed on the disabled list in early June with a Grade two sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament.

In 34 games, he’s posted a .289 batting average with eight doubles, six home runs, 20 RBIs, 17 runs scored, a .907 OPS, and a 151 OPS+.

Ohtani returning to the Angels will be a significant boost to the team as they’re currently fourth in the American League West.

Houston Astros Place Shortstop Carlos Correa on Disabled List with Back Injury

The Houston Astros will be without shortstop Carlos Correa for quite a while as the All-Star infielder was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a back injury, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Astros placing Correa on DL (back)

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 28, 2018

Correa had missed a couple of games earlier in the week, and it was a smart move by the Astros to allow his back to get healthy as you don’t want the injury to linger throughout the season.

Correa is having another fantastic season at the plate, as indicated by his .268 batting average and .832 OPS with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 46 runs scored and 49 RBIs.

The shortstop was integral to the Astros winning the World Series last year and will play a significant role if the team repeats in 2018.

The Astros will probably utilize both Marwin Gonzalez and Alex Bregman at shortstop until Correa is healthy enough to return.

Los Angeles Angels Third Baseman Zack Cozart Out for 2018 Season Due to Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2018 season as he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Cozart is expected to recover from this operation in about six to eight months, per an announcement by the club.

Medical updates on John Lamb, Jake Jewell and Zack Cozart: pic.twitter.com/K4pOEkd8JM

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) June 30, 2018

Cozart was struggling before the injury, as he compiled a .219 batting average and .658 OPS with 12 doubles, five home runs, and 18 RBIs in 58 games for the Angels.

The Angels are hopeful that he can have a better season next year, considering they inked the third baseman to a three-year, $38 million contract during last offseason.

The team will have Luis Valbuena be their primary third baseman going forward. The veteran infielder has a .211 average and .612 OPS with nine home runs and 28 RBIs for them.

It’s possible the Angels try to acquire Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas at the trade deadline.

Moustakas has a .261 average and .794 OPS with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs in 80 games for the Royals in 2018.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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