Second straight day of BP, Cincinnati Reds' Zack Cozart’s return is uncertain – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker stated on Sunday, September 16, that shortstop Zack Cozart’s second day of batting practice was good. Cozart, who is battling a left oblique strain, nonetheless, remains uncertain about his return.
Sunday was the second consecutive day of batting practice which the team manager found satisfactory. With the playoffs around the corner, Cozart’s earlier return will be a good omen both offensively and defensively.
"He looked pretty good," Reds' manager Dusty Baker said. "He didn't look like he was babying or guarding anything. But he didn't really have to exert maximum effort. The ball wasn't running in on him, or [he wasn't] reaching for a breaking ball. Batting practice is pretty simple. We'll see."
Cozart encountering an oblique strain came as a shock to the Reds given the fact that it was Joey Votto – the first baseman, who was out of line-up for over a month and a half. With Cozart out, the Reds' manager has to explore more options to execute the fundamentals.
Bringing in Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey, switching the places, are few of the steps taken so as to compensate for Cozart’s absence. Challenges abound for the Reds despite the fact that they are occupying the top slot in the National League Central.
"It seemed like we were going to get the lineup back the way I wanted it [when we got] Joey [Votto] back, and then I [lost Cozart]," Baker said. "Slide him to the second slot and Brandon [Phillips] leadoff. I really haven't been able to do what I've wanted to do the whole year.”
Having played 127 games this season, Cozart has a .243 average in 523 at-bats with 15 home-runs, 32 RBIs and a .402 slugging percentage.
As to when Cozart will be able to return in the line-up, the team manager says he cannot give a definitive answer about it. Baker does acknowledge, however, that he is the big part of defence and offence for the Reds.
Thus, the sooner he returns, the better it is for the Cincinnati Reds, who are bracing themselves for the playoffs.
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