Mike Trout Exits Rehab Assignment Early Due to Knee Soreness
In a disheartening turn of events for the Los Angeles Angels, star outfielder Mike Trout's return to the diamond has been delayed once more. Trout, who has been sidelined since April 29 following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, exited the first game of his minor-league rehab assignment early due to knee soreness.
The plan was for Trout to ease back into game action with Triple-A Salt Lake, and he was initially slated to play five innings. However, the outfielder managed just two innings before the discomfort forced him out of the game. In his lone plate appearance, Trout struck out, an anticlimactic return for one of the game's brightest stars.
Following this setback, Trout has returned to Southern California for further evaluation. He will not appear in the lineup for Salt Lake as initially planned. The Angels are undoubtedly concerned about their star player's prolonged absence, which has now cost him nearly three months of the 2023 season.
Trout, who will turn 33 on August 7, expressed his frustration but remains focused on his recovery. "Just got to get the strength back," he stated. "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."
The urgency in Trout's voice is palpable as he continues to navigate the road to recovery. "I can't run," he candidly admitted. "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."
Before his injury, Trout was producing at a high level, posting a .220/.325/.541 slash line with 10 home runs and six stolen bases in 29 games. Despite these impressive numbers, his absence has been keenly felt by the Angels, who have struggled in his absence, going 33-39 without their star player. As they entered Wednesday with a 44-57 record, the team found themselves eight games back in the American League West standings, a position that casts a shadow over their playoff aspirations.
Trout's contributions prior to his injury were not just limited to his offensive capabilities. According to Baseball Reference, he contributed an estimated 0.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) before the surgery, a testament to his overall impact on the game. The Angels, already grappling with a subpar season, have missed the leadership and dynamic play that Trout brings to the field.
The road to recovery for athletes is often fraught with challenges, both physical and mental. For Trout, the path has been no different. The occasional setbacks are part of the process, but the focus remains on a full and complete recovery. The Angels, their fans, and baseball enthusiasts everywhere are likely treating this development with cautious optimism, keeping their fingers crossed for a swift return of the star outfielder.
In the grand tapestry of the 2023 MLB season, Trout's injury story adds another layer of complexity to the narrative of the Angels. As the team navigates through these turbulent times, the presence of a fully healthy Mike Trout could turn the tide. For now, the baseball world watches and waits, hoping to see one of its brightest stars shine once again.