The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Duggar trying to get back in the swing
OAKLAND » As Steven Duggar stood in the clubhouse on his first day with his third team of the season, he could only hope that this will be the stop where he finally returns to form.
“New start,” he said. “Fresh start.”
Duggar, 28, played a significant role with the San Francisco Giants’ 107-victory team last season, but this year he suffered an oblique injury in April and was out for two months.
The Giants traded him to the Texas Rangers, who designated him for assignment. The Angels then claimed him on waivers.
“It’s been a rough one for me to say the least,” said Duggar, who has hit .189 with a .487 OPS this season, including his time with the Giants before the injury. “I don’t think it’s any secret that I haven’t really played that well since coming back from injury, but I think that’s a big part of it. The oblique happened at a really unfortunate time.
“There’s never a good time for an injury, but I think the 60-day put me back quite a bit. It’s kind of lingered, just in terms of how it feels. I think just trying to get back into the swing of things has proven a little difficult, but I think I’ve made some progress over the last few days.”
Duggar said he still feels some soreness in his oblique, although not any pain. He said he no longer thinks about it when he’s swinging.
The Angels are taking a flier on him because they are currently without Mike Trout (rib cage inflammation). They traded away Brandon Marsh and then Mickey Moniak suffered a broken finger.
Duggar was not in the lineup on Monday. A lefthanded hitter, Duggar plays all three outfield spots. He’s best known for his defense, even though he produced a .257 average and a .767 OPS last year with the Giants.
“It seems like two years ago, when you watch Giants games or Sportscenter highlights, he was always making phenomenal plays in center field,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “I know he can really defend. We’ll give him a chance to hopefully get some consistent at bats and see what he can do.”
Ohtani's day off
Shohei Ohtani was not in the lineup on Monday, the first time he did not start at DH since June 13.
Nevin said he had determined that Ohtani was going to get a day off either before or after he pitched tonight, and Ohtani’s choice was to take the day off before.
“I think he likes to get out moving around the day after he pitches, so he chose (Monday),” Nevin said.
Nevin said it had nothing to do with Ohtani getting spiked in the foot during Sunday’s game. Ohtani remained in the game and Nevin said he was fine. Also, Nevin said it didn’t matter that the A’s were starting left-hander Cole Irvin on Monday.
Ohtani is sitting on a couple of milestones. His next victory will be his 10th, which would make him the first player since Babe Ruth to have 10 victories and 10 homers in the same season. He also has hit 117 career homers, tied with Ichiro Suzuki for the second most by a Japanese player.
Also
The Angels have not decided who will start in the series finale on Wednesday. Nevin said it depends who they need to use in relief on Monday and tonight. Touki Toussaint would be the freshest option, if he’s not used on Monday or Tuesday. Jaime Barria and Mike Mayers would both have to pitch on three days rest if they start on Wednesday ... Wednesday will be the 1,000th meeting between the Angels and A’s, the most games the Angels have played against any other franchise. The A’s led the series, 524-473, heading into Monday’s game.