Cincinnati Reds SS Zack Cozart to have knee surgery, out nine months
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart will be out for approximately nine months after undergoing surgery on his right knee, the team announced Thursday.
Cozart tore ligaments and the biceps tendon in the knee during Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the team said. Cozart was injured while running to first base on a ground ball. He lunged to step on the base, and his knee buckled as his foot slid across the bag. He immediately clutched his knee, grimacing in pain.
“It's heartbreaking, is what it is, to see him carried off the field,” manager Bryan Price told reporters after the game, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Certainly we all want to see him continue to have a phenomenal year and be a big part of our team's success. He's just a guy who has invested so much in being really good this year. You look back at last year with the slow start and struggles he had—to look at what he's doing this year with the power and hitting the ball to all fields, while playing Gold Glove defense. It's a collective sadness that he's going to miss some time. It looks pretty certain he'll miss some time.”
• Padres outfielder Wil Myers (wrist) activated off 15-day DL
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The Reds called up shortstop Eugenio Suarez and utilityman Chris Dominguez from Triple A. Suarez, who was acquired a trade with the Detroit Tigers for Alfredo Simon, started 71 games at shortstop for Detroit last season. He batted .242 with a .652 OPS in 2014 and was batting .256 with a .786 OPS in 57 Triple A games this year.
This was Cozart's fourth season as the Reds' starting shortstop. He is a career .245 hitter but was the second-best defensive shortstop in the majors last season by Defensive Runs Saved.
- Dan Gartland
