ANAHEIM — Angels superstar Mike Trout struggled to hold back tears Tuesday as he revealed he expected to be out for an extended period with another injury.
Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during Monday’s 6-5 win over the Phillies, and his general manager said he will undergo surgery soon. Presented by Perry Minassian. It is not expected to be a season-ending strategy, but neither the Angels nor Trout have provided an immediate schedule.
“It’s tough,” Trout said emotionally. “It’s just frustrating. But we’ll get through it.”
Trout, 32, said the hardest part is not even knowing when he was injured. His knee had been fine until Monday’s series opener, but he felt something as he jogged off the field in the bottom of the third inning. Trout continued to play despite the injury, stealing second base in the seventh inning and scoring the eventual winning run from second base on a wild pitch. However, the condition of his knee continued to deteriorate and an MRI scan on Tuesday revealed the damage.
“It’s crazy. I look back and I don’t even know when I did it,” Trout said. “I felt some pain when I was going back to the dugout in the bottom of the third inning, but it was like a slight pain, and I was like, ‘This isn’t right.’ I was punching and running without thinking, but what? I didn’t feel it either. I stole it the second time, but I didn’t feel anything. I did the activity and then I sat down again and then I felt it.”
Trout got off to a strong start to the season with a batting average of .220/.325/.541 and 10 home runs, tied for the most in the majors with Gunnar Henderson. Trout has also been more active on the bases this year, stealing as many bases (six) as he did in the previous four years combined.
Trout called it another freak injury out of his control and was clearly frustrated that he could miss time again.
“This is all speculation and we’re trying to determine exactly where this came from,” Trout said. “You play the game hard, [stuff] happen. ”
Unfortunately for Trout and the Angels, injuries have been a recurring theme in recent years. Trout played in just 82 games last year due to a broken wrist and 36 games in 2021 due to a strained right calf muscle. He reached the 100-game mark in 2022, but hasn’t played more than 130 games since 2019.
“We’re going to miss Mike,” manager Ron Washington said. “I think we know what he means to this organization. But the thing about baseball is that when a game is scheduled, you have to play. It was sorely needed. Some people will take a chance. Now let’s see what they’re going to do.”
In Trout’s absence, the Angels on Tuesday signed veteran Kevin Pillar to a one-year contract worth $740,000 to expand their outfield of Taylor Ward, Joe Adell and Mickey Moniak. The Infelders’ Luis Rengifo, Ehire Adrianza and Cole Tucker have experience there, while Bryce Teodosio and Jordyn Adams provide depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.
“Perry is going to do something to help us. We’re going to get some guys here and see how they fit in,” Washington said. “Sometimes you’ll see Adele in center field, you’ll see Rengifo outside, and of course you’ll see Moniak.”
Moniak has struggled this year after a breakout season in 2023, but is expected to see more regular minutes in Trout’s absence. He was one of several players to discuss the injury with Trout in the clubhouse before the game.
“That’s our captain, he’s our player, our leader,” Moniak said. “It’s going to be tough for him to go down. Until he comes back and is healthy, he has no choice but to stay like this. But that would be cruel.”
Minassian said this is an opportunity for other players like Moniak to step up, with fellow Angels veteran Anthony Rendon out with a severe partial hamstring tear.
“This team isn’t made of one player, it’s not made of two players,” Minassian said. “We’re going to have some players step up. Having a veteran manager and a veteran coaching staff will really help here.”
Trout said he still plans to be there for his teammates, although he doesn’t yet know the details of his upcoming surgery or rehabilitation.
“It hurts right now, but you have to look at the positives,” Trout said. “I’ll be back in a few months. Break off your rehab and support your teammates.”
