MLB News and Notes: Dexter Fowler, Rangers’ Pitching Staff Dealing with Injuries, and Josh Reddick

Entering the second full week of play, MLB is in full swing, and players are getting settled in for the long haul. While the focus has been on the early results of teams around the league, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories both on and off the field over the last few days.

Dexter Fowler Out For Season

Unfortunately for veteran outfielder Dexter Fowler, his first, and possibly last, the year with the Los Angeles Angels has come to an abrupt end. According to the team, Fowler tore his left ACL last Friday and will be out for six to nine months to recover.

Fowler came to the Angels via a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals over the offseason. He is in the final year of a five-year deal that he originally signed with the Cardinals.

In 20 at bats this season, Fowler had five hits with a run batted in and a stolen base.

At 35-years-old, Fowler will attempt to make a comeback next year. Shooting down rumors of retirement, Fowler told the L.A. Times’ Jack Harris as much on Monday.

The Angels, meanwhile, will replace his spot with the likes of Jose Rojas and Juan Lagares, at least until one of their highly touted prospects, like Jo Adell, is ready to join the Angels.

Currently, the Angels are +250 to win the A.L. West, trailing only the Astros in terms of best odds to win it. They are +3500 to win the World Series.

Pair Of Injuries To Rangers’ Pitching Staff

When it rains, it pours, and right now, Texas Rangers’ fans are drenched. After being swept by the San Diego Padres, including being no-hit by Joe Musgrove on Friday, the club got some bad news on Monday in regards to two of their bullpen arms.

First, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, it appears that Jonathan Hernandez had Tommy John surgery Monday. The 24-year-old went 5-1 last season with a 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and struck out 31 in 31 innings pitched.

Hernandez has been out since March 9th due to the injury, and Hernandez finally decided to undergo surgery this week after things didn’t improve. He will now be out until sometime next season.

The other blow comes in the form of righty Matt Bush. Grant reports that he will be shelved for the next few months with a flexor strain. The club will evaluate him throughout, but for the time being, they are hoping to avoid another surgery for Bush, who has already had Tommy John surgery twice.

Given that he hasn’t pitched since 2018, this doesn’t seem like as big of a blow for the club, but the 35-year-old was hoping to get back on track this year. His best season came back in 2016 when he went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA and had 61 strikeouts in 61.2 innings.

After a 3-6 start, the Rangers are currently +10000 to win the A.L. West, dead last in the division.

Josh Reddick Signs Minor League Deal

Even though his numbers have been on the decline the last few years, it was somewhat surprising that outfielder Josh Reddick had not caught on somewhere this offseason. On Monday, according to the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Last season, the 34-year-old finished his last year of a four-year deal with the Houston Astros. In 210 at bats, he hit .245/.316/.378 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Reddick will provide some depth for the Diamondbacks, especially after they lost Ketel Marte to a hamstring injury. If he makes the team, Reddick will be guaranteed $750,000.

Arizona is currently +7500 to win a loaded N.L. West.