Angels infielder David Fletcher, out since April 12 due to a left-hip pressure, did an in depth exercise earlier than Thursday’s collection finale towards the Cleveland Guardians at Angel Stadium, hitting, fielding and working, and he declared himself able to return for a seven-game street journey to Chicago and Boston.
“I believe, tentatively,” Fletcher mentioned, when requested if the plan was for him to be activated for Friday night time’s sport towards the White Sox. “I really feel fairly good.”
To which the Angels primarily mentioned: Not so quick.
There was some concern that Fletcher was not working at full power whereas hitting .177 (three for 17) throughout a four-game rehab stint for triple-A Salt Lake, and supervisor Joe Maddon mentioned earlier than Thursday’s sport that a dedication on Fletcher’s standing has not been made.
“I’m positive he can swing the bat effectively, he’s going to discipline floor balls effectively, he’s going to throw effectively, however how does he truly really feel?” Maddon mentioned. “We’ll make that analysis in Chicago.”
Fletcher spent many of the 2019 season, when he had a .350 on-base proportion, and 2020, when he had a .376 OBP, within the leadoff spot. However he struggled to begin 2021, was dropped to the underside of the order final Might and completed with a .297 OBP.
Fletcher opened this season at shortstop and was one for 13 (.077) with no walks in 5 video games earlier than occurring the injured record. Andrew Velazquez has performed so effectively defensively in Fletcher’s absence that Maddon mentioned he would stay at shortstop and Fletcher would play principally second base when he returns.
Center infielders Tyler Wade, Matt Duffy and Jack Mayfield have additionally performed effectively, which prompted this query earlier than Thursday’s sport: Is it attainable Fletcher is not one of many group’s greatest 28 gamers proper now, and will that be delaying his activation?
“That’s not the difficulty in any respect,” Maddon mentioned. “The difficulty is to ensure that he’s wholesome and effectively and doesn’t have any setbacks in the course of the yr. He’s so beneficial, he’s so good … now we have related guys now who're superb gamers, so to push him proper now and reinjure himself wouldn't be very sensible.”
Post a Comment