As good as the Angels’ pitching has been in the first two games of their series against the Oakland A’s, it’s been hard to ignore the big piece missing from the middle of the A’s lineup.
Yoenis Cespedes is dealing with a sore left wrist that will sideline him for a third consecutive game today. Manager Bob Melvin has said he doesn’t believe the injury is related to Cespedes taking part in — and handily winning — the Home Run Derby on Monday in New York.
Regardless, Cespedes’ absence certainly won’t improve Angels manager Mike Scioscia‘s opinion of the derby — at least, the toll it takes on hitters.
“That’s a lot of high-energy swings for anybody,” Scioscia said. “Some guys come out of it fine. Some guys come out of it not quite where they want to be. It’s just a personal decision I think players have to make.”