OC Register: Angels hoping Zack Cozart can return quickly from forearm tightness

[AngelsWin.com]

DETROIT — Zack Cozart was out of the lineup for a second straight game Thursday with left forearm tightness, although the Angels remain hopeful this injury doesn’t lead to the disabled list.

“I hope it’s not serious,” Manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday morning. “We’ll just continue to evaluate.”

Cozart felt some discomfort during batting practice Wednesday, so he was scratched from that night’s lineup. The quick turnaround to a day game Thursday apparently wasn’t enough time for him to get back in the lineup.

“He feels a little better,” Scioscia said. “He’ll continue to be evaluated and we’ll see which direction this is going. He feels a little better, but not to where he can go out there and swing a bat yet.”

GOOSE UPDATE

The goose that flew into one of the scoreboards at Comerica Park on Wednesday night was still creating a buzz Thursday morning. The Tigers invited Dr. Catherine Roach, the local veterinarian who rescued the goose, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday’s game.

A season-ticket holder who was nearby when the goose plummeted into the lower deck, Roach reported Thursday on the Tigers’ pregame show that she took the bird to the Michigan State Veterinary Medical Center, where it was in good shape. She said the goose was to be released in a couple days.

The Rally Goose – so dubbed after the Tigers erupted for a five-run inning following the incident – became a viral hit on social media.

THE GOOSE IS LOOSE

… wait for it. @Angels @MLBONFOX @MLB pic.twitter.com/Xv4v7Ca0sb

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) May 31, 2018

BUNTING AGAINST THE SHIFT

With Luis Valbuena and Kole Calhoun struggling for much of the season, and opponents frequently shifting against them, bunting has seemed like a decent option.

A day after Valbuena dropped down his second bunt single of the season, Scioscia said it’s often not as good a play as you’d think.

“I know the guys look for it, and it was there last night,” Scioscia said. “The lion’s share of the time as we’re watching it, they’re taking it away. The third baseman is in enough, taking it away. It’s a little cat-and-mouse game. If it’s there, these guys try to take advantage of it.”

Valbuena had no bunt hits last season, but he had four in 2016. This year, he had squared around three other times, but either missed or bunted foul. Calhoun does not have a bunt single this year, with only one attempt that went foul. He had two bunt hits in 2016 and one last year.

ALSO

Jaime Barría, 21, will start against Bartolo Colon, 45, on Friday night at Angel Stadium. Barría was less than nine months old when Colon made his major league debut in 1997…

The Angels’ game at Houston on Sept. 2 has been added to the ESPN Sunday Night baseball schedule.

UP NEXT

Angels (Jaime Barría, 4-1, 2.97) vs. Rangers (Bartolo Colon, 2-2, 3.55), Friday, 7 p.m., Fox Sports West, KLAA (830 AM)

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