Zack Cozart was pulled in the fourth inning last night during the Cincinnati Reds‘ game with the Chicago Cubs.
Cozart said he felt tightness in his right quad and his removal from the game was a precaution. The discomfort was in the same leg that Cozart had reconstructive knee surgery after tearing ligaments last year.
Cozart might not miss any time. He has enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2016 season. In his 17 at-bats all from the leadoff spot, Cozart has seven hits for a .412 average. He’s also showed he can still patrol shortstop at his customary high level.
Cozart has yet to swing and miss at a pitch this season. His move to the top of the batting order can boost the trade value for the 30-year-old if he continues to thrive in the spot. Cozart will be under club control in 2017 in his final year of salary arbitration eligibility.
So far Cozart has delivered. Health is the only factor that could cause a contending team in need of a shortstop to think twice about trading for Cozart.
The Reds could decide to put Cozart on the 15-day disabled list and recall Jose Peraza. The Reds are grooming Peraza to eventually replace Cozart. Prospect Alex Blandino is the likely successor to Brandon Phillips at second base.
Peraza also has the ability to play both middle infield spots and left and center in the outfield. His versatility makes roster bubble players Jordan Pacheco and Tyler Holt expendable.
Peraza would be both an offensive and defensive upgrade over Cozart’s current backup Ivan De Jesus, Jr.
The 21-year-old Peraza would also be an ideal candidate to take over ninth in the batting order so that Billy Hamilton can resume hitting leadoff for the Reds.
If the Reds insist on keeping Hamilton at the bottom of the order, Peraza could hit leadoff. He has better speed than Cozart but nothing that compares to the game-changing speed of Hamilton.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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