The Los Angeles Angels have stumbled through the early part of the MLB season, and the absence of their superstar hasn’t helped. Outfielder Mike Trout has been sidelined since April 30 with a knee bruise, another unfortunate chapter in what has become an injury-riddled phase of his otherwise legendary career.
Trout, who exited that game against the Mariners with knee soreness, later saw the issue diagnosed as a bone bruise. Given his lengthy injury history—including 133 games missed last season—fans feared the worst when he was placed on the IL after just 29 games this year.
However, Trout eased some of those concerns in a recent conversation with Greg Beacham of The Associated Press. The three-time MVP shared that he’s been swinging in the cage for three consecutive days and hopes to begin running soon as the team heads to San Diego for a road trip.
“It’s been great,” Trout said. “I was worried in the beginning, but the sharpness (of pain) I was feeling after that day in Seattle is gone.”
Though Trout’s recent seasons have been overshadowed by injuries, his early career brilliance—highlighted by Rookie of the Year honors and three MVP awards by age 28—still resonates. Since 2020, however, he’s played in only 348 games, making any health-related update critical news for the Angels and their fans.
With Trout trending toward a return, the Angels can at least hold on to some optimism as they try to get their season back on track.
The Angels need Mike Trout at full strength in their lineup
When Mike Trout went down with a knee injury on April 30, the Angels were already slipping from their early-season promise. They had opened the year with a 9-5 record, even as Trout struggled at the plate with a .212 batting average. By the time he hit the injured list, he was batting just .179 with a .727 OPS, and the team had fallen to 12-17, tumbling in the AL West standings.
Since Trout’s absence, the Angels have gone 4-5 heading into Sunday’s rubber match against the Orioles. Meanwhile, the rest of the division is surging. The Rangers, Mariners, Astros, and A’s are all staying competitive in the playoff race, leaving the Angels in danger of falling further behind.
Offseason additions like Jorge Soler and Yusei Kikuchi have gotten off to solid starts, and young players like Logan O’Hoppe and Taylor Ward continue to be bright spots. But without Trout anchoring the lineup, their efforts may not be enough to change the team’s trajectory.
The Angels haven’t reached the postseason since 2014, the only playoff appearance in Trout’s 15-year career. That season ended in a Division Series sweep by the eventual AL champion Royals. Since then, it’s been a long stretch of frustration and missed opportunities.
Now, the Angels prepare for a tough road trip to San Diego, where they’ll face the Padres in a three-game series starting Monday. The hope is that Trout can return soon—because without him, it could be a rough week against the Padres and Dodgers.