Angels News: Top Prospect Catcher Logan O'Hoppe Takes Massive Step in Return from Shoulder Surgery

Hopefully he can return sometime next month!

Rookie catcher for the Angels, Logan O’Hoppe underwent surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum earlier this season. His expected recovery time was between four and six months but with any injuries, you just never know. 

The team has been hopeful that he could make a return at some point this season and they may have finally gotten some good news on his injury front.

On Saturday, the catcher hit off a tee for the first time since he suffered the injury. This is the first step to recovery and it’s been reported that he could return to the field at some point in August. If he is able to do so, it would be a massive boost to this Angels team as he was one of the few bright sports for the franchise early in the season.

Angels bear writer Jeff Fletcher had the report and provided the update on the young player. 

Logan O’Hoppe hit off a tee today. It’s the first time he hit a baseball since he was hurt.

He said next week will be the end of the “healing” process, so it will be all baseball stuff, including receiving.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 15, 2023

In the 16 games that he played, he hit.283/.339/.547 (143 OPS+) with four home runs and 13 runs batted in. O’Hoppe provided the team with a reliable contributor and he was showing some real promise of potentially breaking out. His growth over time has been great to see and the unfortunate injury derailed that.

O'Hoppe joined the Angels during last seasons trade deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Brandon Marsh. He is likely the teams catcher of the future so if he can get back this season, it could provide him some extra experience to use through his early career!

The Angels could use his production as they have dropped down in the standings and are facing the reality of possibly missing the postseason once again. Here is to seeing O'Hoppe out there again sooner rather than later!