The initial shock of Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout’s injury was another blow to the club that had already sustained what seemed to be a 12-round knockout. But after a clear path for him to return to the diamond, his production shed light on exactly how special he is.
It’s been unfortunate for Trout to sustain injuries in back-to-back seasons for the Angels, mainly because with Shohei Ohtani still with the team, they have a chance to play a special brand of baseball. However, with a handful of games left in the regular season, Trout and the team can shift gears into the offseason and reflect on his special bounceback run.
After his return to the club on Aug. 19, Trout posted a .293/.351/.657 slash with a 179 wRC+ in 154 plate appearances. That run included 14 home runs and 27 runs batted in, and a run of him playing in 36 of 39 games he was active for, which was music to the ears of the team’s training staff, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“I think he’s done a great job,” head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said on Friday. “He’s consistent with everything he does. He’s developed a good routine for himself. And I think it’s been great. We’re seeing him out there everyday again, which is what we want from Mike Trout.”
Trout’s condition was officially labeled a costovertebral dysfunction at T5, which is rare and will be something he must manage for the remainder of his career. The plan to keep him on the field without any hiccups is an important factor moving foward.
Frostad believes there’s a plan in place to keep Trout in shape without compromising his health.
“Just the regular scheduled (days off) that the manager wants to give him,” Frostad said. “With everything, we just have to take it day by day, year by year, but I think right now the way things look, it’s looking good for next year.”
Fortunately for the Angels, Trout has proven he is a special talent and has a clear desire to play the game at his best.
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are trying to finish strong
On Sept. 25, the Angels finished off their series with the Minnesota Twins in blowout fashion, winning 10-3 behind a solid start from Jose Suarez. They also got five runs scored on 5-for-9 batting between Trout and Ohtani. The former nabbed his 37th home run of the season and the 11th three extra-base-hit game of his career.
The latter extended a hit streak to 11 games, batting .350 in that span. Trout started off strong by hitting a double off of Dylan Bundy and scoring on Ohtani’s first single. Trout then hit a home run in his second at-bat, walked in his third, and doubled again in his fifth.
The Angels’ long-time superstar spoke about his mentality with the team entering its final stretch of games.
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