Angels Infielder Leaves Game, Will Have Season-Ending Surgery

It was an innocent enough play Tuesday night, but Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrew Velazquez suffered what's now been diagnosed as a torn meniscus. 

Velazquez’s season is obviously over. He will have surgery. Rehab is 6-8 weeks.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 14, 2022

Velazquez will undergo surgery to repair the MCL tear and is expected to require around 6-8 weeks of rest and rehab. 

The man they call 'Squid' in the Angels clubhouse finishes the season as the No. 2 shortstop in all of baseball at defensive runs saved, with 13. His line at the plate was a .196 average and a .540 OPS. He hit 9 home runs and stole 17 bases. But it's his defense that the Angels will miss. 

Not to mention the fact that he's been a clubhouse favorite. Teammate Jared Walsh said earlier this season of Velazquez, “He’s a magician at shortstop, but even more so I think he’s got that personality that people gravitate toward. He’s real calm, under control all the time.” 

To replace him on the roster, the Angels have recalled the reigning Pacific Coast League Player of the Week Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake. He's been hitting .310 with an .833 OPS with the Salt Lake Bees.

Photos: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports, David Richard-USA TODAY Sports