Angels News: Logan O’Hoppe Looked ‘Really Good Behind the Plate’ in First Rehab Game
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If the Angels are going to make a last-ditch effort toward a playoff run, they need to start winning games quickly. Despite an aggressive trade deadline, the team has seen a tough stretch of games.
They are multiple games out of the final wild-card spot and seem to be falling fast. But the team could be getting one of their main pieces back soon in the form of catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
O’Hoppe has been out with a shoulder injury since April, but he could be back in the lineup soon.
According to Jeff Flecher of the OC Register, Angels manager Phil Nevin said O’Hoppe looked good in his first rehab assignment game.
“Catcher Logan O’Hoppe (shoulder surgery) looked “really good behind the plate,” Nevin said, in the first game of his rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Class-A Inland Empire. O’Hoppe struck out three times, but Nevin said it’s natural for his timing to be off after missing more than three months. O’Hoppe is expected to spend at least a couple of weeks in the minors before returning. …”
Before his injury, he was one of the better players for the Angels in the limited time he played. They acquired him last trade deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Brandon Marsh.
On the season, he is hitting .283 with four home runs and 13 runs batted in. While the Angels don’t have a few weeks to waste, getting their young catcher back this season would be huge.
They could get a chance to see him play before the offseason, even if they don’t end up making a postseason run. He is likely their catcher of the future, so any extra reps in the Major Leagues would be beneficial to a young player.
The Angels have their work cut out for them the rest of the way, but this is positive news. He represents a hope for the future, and it’s exciting that he could make his return to the field here soon.
