Angels News: Logan O’Hoppe Explains Mindset With Knee Soreness

Ron Gutterman
3 Min Read
Apr 5, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14) celebrates his two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels star-hopeful catcher Logan O’Hoppe is in the midst of a difficult week in the dog days of August. In seven games since Aug. 7, O’Hoppe is 0-for-28 with three walks and 13 strikeouts. And if things couldn’t get worse than that, he compounded it by leaving Monday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays early due to knee soreness.

O’Hoppe was back in the lineup on Tuesday night, but went 0-for-4 with three punch-outs. And with an injury like knee soreness — especially for a catcher — precautions generally need to be taken. But O’Hoppe has made it known in the early stages of his career that he is tough, and has no problem playing through pain or minor injuries.

However, this situation seems to be a little different, as O’Hoppe seems to have no difficulties from Monday’s soreness, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:

O’Hoppe said on Tuesday that his knee felt “good walking around, no pain or anything going up steps.” He also said he didn’t undergo any further tests.

“As far as being on the field, nothing’s gonna change,” O’Hoppe said. “If I’m out there, I’m not gonna pull back. If I’m out there, I’m giving everything I have. People say that’s not smart, but I really don’t care. I’d rather not be here than not give everything I have.”

Angels manager Ron Washington, though, tends not to use O’Hoppe’s mentality when things like this happen. Instead, he focuses on what the doctors say and how O’Hoppe looks, as he knows the way young players are about injuries.

“Just give him time off,” Washington said. “I’m not concerned about how he feels, about what’s going on. Sometimes, when you get kids like that, you’ve got to make decisions for them, because if you talk to him, no matter how he feels he thinks he should be there every day.”

The Angels need to do what they can to protect O’Hoppe, as he is certainly a long-term investment. But part of developing players is letting them play, even if that means letting them play through some soreness. They’ve chosen that path this time around.

Angels’ Mike Trout undergoes successful knee surgery

The Angels announced last week that superstar Mike Trout underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. It’s his second time through this operation during the 2024 season and he is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign rehabbing the injury.

Ron Gutterman is a college student from Anaheim, California, and is currently the lead editor for AngelsNation.com. He is also a Staff Writer for LakersNation.com, RamsNewsWire.com, and RaidersNewsWire.com. He is a student attending Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, studying Sports Management. With Lakers Nation, Rams News Wire, Raiders News Wire, and Angels Nation, Ron assists in news, game coverage, analysis, and hot takes via his Twitter account, @rongutterman24. Ron's favorite Angels player of all time is either Mike Trout or Vladimir Guerrero. Ron began watching baseball when he was seven years old with his dad taking him to games. Ron's all time favorite Angels moment is when he was at Angels Stadium to watch the Halos throw a no-hitter in the first home game after the death of Tyler Skaggs. Contact: ron@mediumlargela.com
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