Mike Trout Returns to the Angels: Analysis of His Return and Expectations
The anticipated return of Mike Trout to the Los Angeles Angels’ lineup was moved up, generating great excitement among fans. Initially scheduled for Monday in Boston, the star player’s return materialized three days earlier, marking a milestone in the season.
Trout, who was out of action for 26 games due to a left knee injury diagnosed as a bone bruise, was activated and played as a designated hitter in Friday night’s victory against the Cleveland Guardians. The player, who has been awarded the American League Most Valuable Player three times, underwent two knee surgeries last year after suffering a torn meniscus.
I felt good. I struck out in two innings, but other than that, I felt good.
Mike Trout
In his first game back, Trout went 1-for-5, playing as the designated hitter. In the fourth inning, he hit a single to left-center field. Although he made good contact in his first at-bat, Cleveland’s third baseman, José Ramírez, made an outstanding catch to prevent Trout from getting a hit.
Manager Ron Washington expressed his satisfaction with Trout’s performance, highlighting that the player had good at-bats despite not having seen live pitches recently. Washington also mentioned that Trout is not ready to return to his usual position at the top of the lineup, but that his return is a boost for the team.
Trout’s return helped the Angels break a five-game losing streak, improving their record to 28-30. It was the first time since September 26, 2011, his rookie season, that Trout started a game batting below the third spot.
Washington is happy to have Trout back, especially since Trout didn’t rush his return. Washington also knows that Trout isn’t ready to return to his normal spot batting second or third.
The 33-year-old has a batting average of .180 with nine home runs, 18 RBIs, and an OPS of .712 in 30 games. Trout is expected to play as a designated hitter during the weekend series against the Guardians, and possibly return to right field when the Angels travel to Boston on Monday.Even though Trout has preferred to avoid being the designated hitter, he has performed well in that position. In eight games this season, he has a .273 batting average (9-33) with six home runs and nine RBIs.
Since May 17, 2021, when he suffered a calf muscle tear against Cleveland, Trout has missed 404 of the Angels’ 665 games, nearly 60%. This is the fifth consecutive year he has had a stint of at least 25 games on the injured list.
He missed five weeks of the 2022 season due to a back injury, and all but one game after July 3, 2023, after breaking a bone in his hand from a foul. Trout played in 29 games last season before the meniscus injury.There are so many games that any sense of novelty or something that excites you is something you would hold on to. So today is definitely such a moment. He is the heart of this organization. So we are happy that our heart is beating again safely.
Logan O’Hoppe
