Mike Trout Headed to 10-Day Injured List: What His Bone Bruise Means for the Angels

The Angels have placed Mike Trout on the injured list due to a bone bruise on his left knee. Manager Ron Washington reassured reporters that this injury isn’t “too serious” and that there is no structural damage. However, this injury is concerning given Trout’s history. Last year, he had two surgeries on the same knee for meniscus tears.

Trout’s struggle with injuries has been ongoing for several years. Since 2021, he has missed significant playing time due to various issues, including a calf strain and a hamate fracture. In fact, Trout has played only 29 games this year, matching his total for the entire 2024 season.

Despite his injuries, Trout’s past performance has been impressive. He is a career .297 hitter with 387 home runs and has been an 11-time All-Star. In 2022, he played 119 games, but even then, he dealt with back issues. To help with his longevity, the Angels moved him from center field to right field this season.

This year, his performance hasn’t been up to par. Trout’s hitting stats show a concerning drop; he has a below-average wRC+ of 96, a high strikeout rate of 29.8%, and a low batting average of .187. If he returns soon, he may improve, but this trend raises questions about his ability to stay at the elite level.

While Washington’s comments suggest a quick recovery, the term “bone bruise” can mean different things for different players. For example, Cody Bellinger returned after about a month from a similar injury last year. But Anthony Rendon and Kyle Tucker faced longer absences, with their mild injuries turning out to be fractures.

The uncertainty of recovery times highlights the risk for Trout. With his injury history, it’s wise to expect he might be out for a while. As the Angels adjust, players like Ryan Noda and Jo Adell will step up to fill the gap in the outfield.

In summary, while Trout’s immediate outlook is cautiously optimistic, his ongoing injury issues make the future unclear for both him and the Angels. Keeping an eye on his recovery will be crucial as the season progresses.



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