Mickey Moniak suffers another freak injury after hot start with Angels

Mickey Moniak has run into more bad luck. 

The former Phillies outfielder, dealt to the Los Angeles Angels in the Noah Syndergaard trade on Tuesday, will miss some time after fracturing his left middle finger on Saturday.

A 92-mph fastball caught Moniak’s finger while he was laying down a bunt attempt in the ninth inning against Seattle. Moniak got the bunt down, advanced on an error and was examining his hand when he pulled up to second. He stayed in the game to score on the next pitch but did not play the field to close out the win. 

The Angels seemed pessimistic while Moniak was undergoing X-rays after the game, and the results were announced on Sunday:

Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said it’s not a significant fracture and is closer to his fingernail. Wouldn’t rule out Moniak returning this season

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 7, 2022

It’s Moniak’s second freak injury to abruptly halt a hot streak this year. He had earned regular center field playing time with the Phillies to open the season after slugging .973 in Spring Training, but a hit by pitch in the team’s spring finale sidelined him for more than a month. He struggled to regain his groove upon activation, posting a .336 OPS with 19 strikeouts in 50 plate appearances before the trade.

Now, after homering once in 93 career Phillies at bats, Moniak’s injury comes after opening his Angels tenure 4-for-14 with a couple homers. It’s yet another tough break for the former No. 1 overall pick.

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