The Los Angeles Angels suffered a major blow last week when rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe injured his left shoulder on a ninth-inning swing in the team’s series finale against the New York Yankees.
The development came just a few days after O’Hoppe tweaked the same shoulder in a game against the Boston Red Sox. The 23-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list and ultimately diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgery and is expected to sideline him for the next four-to-six months.
With O’Hoppe out for the foreseeable future, the Angels will rely on a catching tandem that consists of Matt Thaiss and Chad Wallach until veteran Max Stassi is activated off the IL.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian voiced his confidence in their young catchers and believes the pair is capable of holding down the fort, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“Obviously Matt being fairly young, I think we’re seeing him develop on a day-to-day basis,” Minasian said. “Chad’s been there and done that, obviously a veteran catcher who’s caught playoff games and can handle a pitching staff. We like where we’re currently at.”
Thaiss and Wallach both have more Major League experience than O’Hoppe, but lack the offensive potential the top prospect has.
O’Hoppe was in the midst of a breakout season prior to his injury as he hit .283/.339/.547 with two doubles, four home runs and 13 RBI across 59 plate appearances and 16 games.
While the Angels are thin on catching depth now, Minasian added that he has no plans on adding a player from outside of the organization at this time.
Logan O’Hoppe enjoyed playing at Yankee Stadium
The Angels’ recent trip to Yankee Stadium was special for O’Hoppe, who grew up on Long Island and rooted for the Yankees as a child.
Many of O’Hoppe’s family members and friends were in attendance for the games to watch O’Hoppe play in person, and the group intentionally left one seat empty in memory of the catcher’s Aunt Dana, who passed away in 2015.
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