The Los Angeles Angels have felt the absence of Mike Trout since he went down with a bone bruise in his left knee during their April 30 loss to the Mariners. He landed on the 15-day injured list the next day, and since then, the team has gone 4-5, struggling to keep pace in a shaky AL West. Despite the division’s weaknesses, the Angels continue to look overmatched on most nights.
Now sitting at 16-22, pressure is mounting on manager Ron Washington in just his second year in charge. While many of the team’s issues can be traced back to front office missteps and Trout’s recurring injuries, Washington could end up taking the blame for yet another frustrating season.
The good news? Help may be on the way soon. Trout shared an encouraging update on Sunday.
“I feel good,” he told MLB.com. “It’s been a very positive last few days. I’m not running, but I’ve been swinging the last three days. I’m up to 40 swings with no pain. Off the tee and flips in the cage. But the biggest thing will be running.”
Trout won’t be activated today, the first day he’s eligible, but he’s expected to begin ramping up his running during the Angels’ upcoming series in San Diego—a key step toward his return to action.
Mike Trout’s imminent return could be what Ron Washington needs to save his job
Before his injury, Mike Trout had appeared in all 29 games for the Angels this season. Now 33 and playing right field to help preserve his health, Trout’s defensive metrics have slipped, and his offensive numbers are below his usual standards. He’s hitting just .179 with a .727 OPS—well off his career marks—but he’s still shown flashes of his trademark power, with nine home runs and 18 RBIs to start the year.
Even in this later stage of his career, Trout remains the Angels’ most impactful player and their best chance at climbing back into relevance. His expected batting average of .248 suggests he’s had a bit of bad luck at the plate, and there’s reason to believe better days are ahead with enough time to settle back in.
Trout has shown remarkable loyalty to Anaheim over the years, staying committed to the franchise despite its persistent struggles. Unfortunately, the front office hasn’t given him much support, and injuries have repeatedly derailed what once looked like a Hall-of-Fame trajectory. At this point, Trout is overdue for a stretch of good health.
If the Angels can get their star back soon, the season still has a pulse—and so might manager Ron Washington’s hold on the job. Despite the team’s recent struggles, Washington is a respected baseball mind known for his leadership and player development skills.
For the Angels’ sake—and baseball’s—it would be great to see Trout back at full strength for the rest of 2025.