The Angels have placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 10-day disabled list, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports. The club has recalled fellow second baseman Nolan Fontana in a related move.
Kinsler had been battling a groin injury that kept him out of the club’s final two exhibition games of the spring. Though he’d managed to play in last night’s game, the Halos will now be without him for at least ten days.
As part of a busy offseason for the Angels, the club traded two minor-leaguers to the Tigers while agreeing to take on Kinsler’s entire salary for the 2018 season. It was a lauded move for the club considering their second basemen had hit just .207/.274/.318 last year, but they’ll have to wait a bit for the Kinsler boost to kick in.
For the time being, the Halos have a couple of options. Jefry Marte and the newly-recalled Fontana could both get reps at the keystone. The team could also shift fellow offseason acquisition Zack Cozart to second base and give increased playing time to Luis Valbuena.
Fontana, 26, has just 23 MLB plate appearances to his name. His lone hit in the majors came in the form of a home run. He did, however, hit .271/.396/.449 with a whopping 16.6% walk rate at Triple-A last season, so it seems there’s some upside on Fontana’s bat to speak of.
PopeMarley
Called this. Next is Cozart…
halofan20
Oh yeah? I’m sure you did, screenshot or it’s not true
nste23
Kinsler hit .236
smith_matd
This article didn’t list his average so is this just more information for readers?
HaloShane
No big deal…. This team is going no where anyways.
camdenyards46
I think they have a good shot at the playoffs
thegreatcerealfamine
Your Orioles stand just as good of a chance.
osfandan
You’re being sarcastic, but the Orioles have a better shot.
Ironman_4life
im an Orioles fan and I think Angels and Orioles both have about same type of team. Aging Veteran bats with no pitching. I think neither team will be in post season but neither will be as bad as the “experts” predict…
greatdaysport
Everyone crabby because their team didn’t get Otani.
madmanTX
Based on his stats this Spring, the Angels didn’t get Ohtani either. Babe Ruth? More like Aunt Ruth.
HaloShane
No team is upset for not getting Ohtani. Well said madmanTX.
jdgoat
They’re not upset about missing out on a potential superstar for league minimum? Why wouldn’t they?
alt2tab
Hmm I don’t think it’s likely Marte will get any time at 2B considering he has never played there. More likely they’ll platoon Valbuena and Marte at 3B and put Cozart at 2B
cakirby
Oof. This article was written by someone who is not well informed about the Angels. Kinsler re-aggravated his groin injury (suffered during ST) last night and got pulled out of the game, that’s why he’s on the DL. Cozart played 2B on opening day, and was moved there last night when Kinsler was pulled. I’m fairly certain Marte has never played 2B, and never would. Cozart will move to 2B and Valbuena and Marte will take the playing time over at 3B.
HalosFan8
We’re more likely to see Ohtani at second than Marte hahaha. Cozart is playing 2b and Valbuena is taking 3b.
Marte at 2b… I needed a good laugh.