Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout’s return to the MLB has hit another roadblock. The 32-year-old, who had been sidelined since April 29 due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, faced an unexpected setback during his rehab assignment. Trout, who underwent surgery to repair the damaged meniscus, has struggled to make a successful comeback.
Troubles During Rehab
Trout's rehabilitation efforts seemed promising initially, but lingering knee soreness forced him to exit his first minor-league rehab game. Scheduled to play five innings, Trout only managed two, striking out in his sole at-bat. Despite an initial MRI returning clean, the star outfielder’s knee has continued to cause issues, making his path to recovery a frustratingly slow journey.
“Just got to get the strength back,” Trout said. “Kind of felt like this last week has been a little turning point where I can start ramping it up a little bit, see how it feels. It's just trying to find exercises that don't make it ache the next day or irritate it. Finally figured something out that's been working. Just trying to get that strength back.”
Inconsistency and Concerns
His attempts to run have been met with variable results, causing further concern. “I can't run. Certain things get me kind of achy and sore the next day. Trying to limit that, because I don't want to get here and then have a setback and have this (up-and-down) thing. Just trying to progress as fast as I can the smart way,” Trout explained.
As Trout has been working towards recovery, his absence has unquestionably affected the Angels' performance. The team's record since his injury is a disappointing 35-42, reflecting inconsistency and highlighting Trout's significant contributions. Before his injury, Trout was hitting .220/.325/.541, with 10 home runs and six stolen bases in 29 games. His contributions were estimated at 0.9 Wins Above Replacement, demonstrating his immense value to the team.
Challenges for the Angels
The Angels currently sit with an overall season record of 46-60 and find themselves nine games back in the American League West standings. This challenging position raises questions about their ability to climb back up without their star player. The ongoing uncertainty around Trout’s return further complicates the team's season outlook.
Despite the clean MRI, the persistent soreness in Trout's knee has cast doubt on a definitive timeline for his return, which is causing both the player and the team considerable anxiety. The longer Trout remains sidelined, the dimmer the Angels' hopes become of making a significant push in the standings.
Mike Trout remains one of the most pivotal figures in baseball, and his continued absence from the field serves as a substantial blow to the Angels. The struggle to regain his form after surgery represents a major hurdle that both he and the team are working diligently to overcome.
As the Angels move forward, their strategy will need to encompass both the potential return of their star player and the sustainability of team performance in his prolonged absence. For now, the team and its fans watch and wait, hopeful yet cautious about the potential scenarios that lie ahead.