ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have placed superstar Mike Trout on the injured list due to a bone bruise in his left knee, team manager Ron Washington confirmed after the game against the Detroit Tigers. While Washington reassured reporters that the injury isn’t classified as severe and that no structural damage is present, Trout’s ongoing injury challenges have left fans concerned.
The 33-year-old outfielder previously endured multiple meniscus tears in the same knee last year, necessitating two surgeries. This recent setback is particularly disconcerting for a player whose injury history has had a significant impact on his availability over the past several seasons. Trout played only 29 games in 2023 owing to his previous knee surgeries and was sidelined for most of the 2021 season because of a calf strain. He managed to compete in just 82 games this year due to a hamate fracture, and even in 2022, often regarded as his healthier season in recent years, he missed considerable time due to back issues.
Trout’s prolonged absence from the field has raised questions about his place among the league’s elite talents. Once considered the standard for excellence in baseball, the outfielder’s injury woes have hindered his performance metrics, dropping him from the pinnacle of player rankings. With a career batting average of .297 and 387 home runs, Trout’s statistics remain impressive, yet they now come with caveats about his durability and health.
This season, the Angels made strategic adjustments, moving Trout from center field to right field in hopes of prolonging his career and mitigating injury risks. Despite these changes, Trout’s first stint on the injured list comes just as he matches last season’s game count.
Throughout much of his career, Trout maintained incredible offensive production despite injury setbacks. However, this year’s numbers tell a different story. With only 121 plate appearances thus far, he has struggled, posting a batting average of .187 and a concerning on-base percentage of .264, resulting in a wRC+ below league average. While he has demonstrated power with nine home runs, his rising strikeout rate and low batting average on balls in play raise doubts about his ability to regain form, even if he returns to a full schedule.
The typical recovery timeline for bone bruises varies widely, leaving the Angels with uncertainty regarding Trout’s return. Optimistically, players like Cody Bellinger have missed approximately a month with similar injuries. Yet, the cases of Anthony Rendon and Kyle Tucker linger in the minds of Angels fans; both faced more severe diagnoses following what initially appeared to be minor injuries, prompting concerns about Trout’s prognosis.
In light of this unpredictability, Trout’s potential absence could significantly impact the Angels’ lineup. With options such as Ryan Noda, Scott Kingery, and prospect Matthew Lugo available, they may need to rely on these players alongside Jo Adell and Taylor Ward as they navigate through this challenging period without their star. Additionally, switch-hitter Gustavo Campero may see an uptick in playing time now that Trout is sidelined.
As the Angels await further updates, the demand for depth and resilience in their roster has never been more prominent. The team must now navigate the crucial weeks ahead, hoping for a swift recovery for one of the game’s brightest stars while managing the implications of his absence on their season.