Zack Cozart to undergo labrum surgery

Anaheim Angels third baseman Zack Cozart will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the team announced today. No timetable has been given for his return, but it seems unlikely he will be able to play again in 2018.

Cozart was one of the Angels big additions this offseason, signing a three year, $38 million deal as a free agent after a career year with the Reds in 2017. Cozart has disappointed, however, putting up a .219/.296/.362 slash line in 253 plate appearances this season.

This could impact the Rangers in a couple of possible ways. The Angels could theoretically decide they are in the market for a third baseman, which would potentially make them suitors for Adrian Beltre. However, the Angels are 8 games back of the second Wild Card right now, and their playoff chances appear remote, particularly given that Shohei Ohtani is dealing with a torn UCL, and several others on are on d.l. More likely, the Angels appear poised to go into sell mode next month, creating potentially a greater supply of players available to a potentially dwindling supply of potential buyers, which could negatively impact the Rangers’ ability to maximize their return on their trade pieces.