Mike Trout's Rehab Stalled by Knee Soreness
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout's much-anticipated return to the diamond has hit another snag. During the initial game of his minor-league rehab assignment, Trout experienced knee soreness that forced him to leave early, casting further doubt on his return to Major League Baseball (MLB) action.
Originally, Trout was scheduled to play five innings in his first game back, but the plan was curtailed to just two innings due to the discomfort in his knee. In his sole at-bat, Trout struck out, adding another layer of frustration to his rehabilitation journey.
Consequently, Trout will not feature in the lineup for Triple-A Salt Lake as initially planned. Instead, he has returned to Southern California for additional evaluation of his left knee, which had undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus earlier this year. This injury, sustained on April 29, has already kept the star outfielder sidelined for nearly three months of the 2023 season.
Trout opened up about his ordeal, emphasizing the importance of regaining strength in his knee, saying, "Just got to get the strength back."
He expressed a semblance of optimism about recent progress: "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."
However, the road to recovery has been far from smooth. "I can’t run," Trout noted, highlighting a significant hurdle he's still working to overcome.
He elaborated on the challenges of managing his rehabilitation: "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 the injury, Trout posted a .220/.325/.541 slash line with 10 home runs and six stolen bases in 29 games. These numbers were accompanied by an estimated 0.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), according to Baseball Reference, underscoring his critical value to the team. The Angels, who have struggled considerably without their star player, have a 33-39 record in the games Trout has missed. As of Wednesday, they held a 44-57 record overall, placing them eight games back in the American League West standings.
The uncertainty surrounding Trout’s return is a significant blow for the Angels, who had pinned hopes on his speedy comeback to salvage their season. Turning 33 on August 7, the three-time MVP's resilience and experience are sorely missed on the field and in the locker room.
As Trout undergoes further evaluation and presumably adjusts his rehabilitation protocol, both the Angels and their fans will be anxiously awaiting positive news. With the season progressing, every game becomes critical, and the return of one of baseball's elite players could be a pivotal factor in the team's fortunes.