Zack

Cozart

Cozart was traded from the Angels to the Giants last month in a salary dump and earlier this week was released. Apparently, the Halos are now interested in having him back on a minor league pact. If he does land back in Anaheim, he’d seem to have a good shot to win a bench job.

Cozart had been designated for assignment earlier this week after the Giants acquired him from the Angels last month. The 34-year-old will catch on somewhere now that he can be had cheaply, but he’s coming off back-to-back, horrific, injury-shortened seasons.

The Giants took in Cozart’s $12.6 million salary to get 2019 first-round pick Will Wilson from the Angels last month. He’s 34 and he’s missed most of the last two seasons, so he’s probably going to have a tough time making a club this spring.

The deal was first reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Cozart signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Angels back in December 2017, but he fought a number of injuries during his time in Anaheim and posted a wretched .190/.261/.296 batting line in 360 plate appearances when healthy. For the Giants, this swap is mostly about getting Wilson, the 15th overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft. For the Angels, it’s about freeing up payroll space for a run at Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon.

Cozart has started a hitting progression four months after he had an arthroscopic debridement of his left shoulder. He’s been a disappointment since signing with the Angels and hit just .124/.178/.144 in 97 at-bats last year. The Angels still owe the infielder $12.6 million in 2020.

Cozart had an arthroscopic debridement of his left shoulder back in July. The hope is that he will be ready to go come Opening Day next season.

Cozart will undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left shoulder next Wednesday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. The infielder has been out since late May with the shoulder injury, and rather than try and rehab it, Cozart will undergo the operation in hopes of being ready to play in 2020. In 38 games, the 33-year-old hit just .124/.178/.144 in 97 at-bats. He’s owed $12.6 million in 2020 before hitting free agency in 2021.

Cozart has been out since late May with left shoulder inflammation and is now scheduled to undergo a debridement procedure next Wednesday. He seems doubtful to return to major league action this season.

He underwent surgery on the shoulder last June and missed the entire second half of the 2018 season. He battled neck and concussion issues early this season and was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sore shoulder on May 28th. He has a .124 batting average in 97 at-bats in 2019.

It’s yet another injury for the 33-year-old infielder, who has already missed time this season with head, neck, and forearm issues. Cozart was also limited to just 58 games in 2018 because of a labrum tear in his left shoulder, and this latest shoulder problem might be somewhat related. There is no timetable for his return.