The San Diego Union-Turribune, a local media outlet in San Diego, reported on the 22nd (Korea Standard Time) that "Bogartz, who was listed as injured after injuring his shoulder while diving in the game on the 21st of last month, is speeding up the rehabilitation process for his return, including two consecutive days of defensive training."
"Bogatz is also doing batting training with his right hand at the indoor practice range," the media continued. "He will soon start full two-handed batting training. According to Bogatz, he will be able to return early next month."
Although it is an indoor practice range, already holding the bat can be seen as a good sign for a speedy return. According to the media, Bogaerts will reportedly revise his batting form in a follow-through manner in which he does not let go of both hands after hitting in order to protect the injured left shoulder. Sometimes, Bogaerts let go of his right hand after hitting.
In an interview with the media, Bogaerts predicted that he would revise his batting form, saying, "(The form that does not let go of the right hand until the end after the hit) seems to be a smart way not to stress the injured shoulder."
Bogaerts, who made his major league debut for Boston in 2013, spent his prime there and became a shortstop who could hit double-digit home runs in a season. He won the Silver Slugger Award, which is given to the best hitter in each position, and was loved by fans as he was selected as an All-Star four times.
Bogaerts signed an 11-year, $280 million (about 389.48 billion won) mega contract with San Diego in December 2022 when he became a Major League FA (free agent) based on his reputation and skills in Boston.
However, it didn't take long for the contract to be treated as "eat and run." Last year, the first year of his contract with the San Diego Padres, Bogaerts played in a total of 155 games with a batting average of 0.285 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs. It wasn't a bad performance, but the figure didn't match his reputation and value. His OPS, which combined on-base plus slugging percentage, also stood at 0.790.
It is not just this. Before his injury this year, Bogaerts played in a total of 47 games, showing poor performance with a batting average of 0.219, four homers and 14 RBIs. In the end, he lost his position as shortstop to Kim Ha-sung, who was in his defensive position, and was pushed to second base. 토토사이트 추천
Even if Bogaerts returns from injury, the San Diego Padres will have to agonize over his defensive position. Currently, the second base is being divided between Jake Cronenworth (29), who was formerly the first baseman, and Luis Arraez (27), who was acquired from Miami through a trade.
It is also a problem that he cannot use Bogaerts while giving them expensive money, but even if he returns from injury, he will have to think about arranging positions with existing players, which is expected to complicate the head of the San Diego leadership.