The Los Angeles Angels saw the long-awaited return of Anthony Rendon on Monday night, going 1-for-4 with an RBI from the leadoff spot in a 9-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the Angels’ other highest-paid player — Mike Trout — remains on the injured list after suffering a torn meniscus on April 29.
While Trout’s injury did not have a specific timetable when it was first suffered and he underwent surgery, he has now been out 10 weeks and has not yet faced live pitching. He has been in the weight room and the batting cage and has spoken positively about his progression.
He did so again prior to Rendon’s return game, saying that he is relatively pain free and could be ready to progress to the next level of his rehab soon, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“I feel great, I feel fine and I’m progressing the way I should be,” Trout said. “It’s good to get out there and start moving around instead of being in the weight room and the cage. It’s all about the progression of running. I feel good hitting. I took 30 swings out there with no pain at all.”
Manager Ron Washington didn’t have any further updates, but had full faith that Trout was taking the right steps and knows what he needs to do to progress.
“I’m pleased with it because he’s pleased with it,” Washington said. “I watched him do some early hitting and see why he’s the star that he is. He did some stuff out there today with a tee and some flips that I don’t think any of those kids in that clubhouse could do. That’s know-how. He knows what he’s doing.”
The Angels would love to have their superstar back in the lineup as soon as possible, especially after a stretch that has seen them lose seven of their last eight. But they don’t want to rush him and risk a re-injury, and with their place in the standings, losses could go a long way towards forcing a direction at the trade deadline.
Angels’ Tyler Anderson earns All-Star selection
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson was named to the American League All-Star Team for the 2024 edition of the Midsummer Classic. It’s his second selection — 2022 with the L.A. Dodgers — and is well-earned after a major turnaround from a dismal 2023 campaign.
Anderson has undoubtedly been the Angels’ most consistent player in 2024. In 112 innings over 18 starts this season, Anderson has a 2.81 ERA, 1.179 WHIP and 151 ERA+. Anderson is the first left-handed Angels pitcher to be named an All-Star since Hector Santiago in 2015.
He is the Angels’ only All-Star this season.