Key Angels Infielder To Miss "Months"

Already having missed a chunk of the season due to a core muscle injury, veteran Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher will be out "a couple months" after undergoing surgery to repair the issue.

David Fletcher had surgery on both of his adductor muscles and will be out for a few months, head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said. But they don’t anticipate it being season-ending

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 10, 2022

The injury, in the hip and abs region, has bothered him since spring training. Fletcher tried cortisone shots to manage it, according to Rhett Bollinger of mlb.com, but it still bothered him when playing on defense or running the bases. He had surgery on both of his adductor muscles. The Angels say he should be back in the second half of the season. 

“Really, it’s a core muscle injury, all relating around the hip area,” Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said. “He’s recovering well. We’re hoping he’ll be back within a couple months. The surgeon is very optimistic. He's done hundreds of these procedures and he's seen guys come back with no issues.”

While defensive whiz Andrew Velazquez has emerged as the starting shortstop, second base will be divvied up amongst Tyler Wade, Jack Mayfield and Luis Rengifo in Fletcher's absence. 

The 27-year-old Fletcher has a career average of .278 in this, his 5th season with the Angels. 

Photo Credit:  Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports