The Los Angeles Angels have been without Mike Trout since July 12, when he left the fifth inning of their game against the Houston Astros due to upper back spasms.
Less than a week later, the Angels placed Trout on the 10-day injured list with left ribcage inflammation. It ultimately prevented the 30-year-old from playing in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
The Angels began the second half of their 2022 schedule on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, and while Trout wasn’t in the lineup, he accompanied the team to Truist Park.
Angels interim manager Phil Nevin revealed Trout is feeling considerably better and could potentially be activated off the IL next week, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
Mike Trout, who is on the injured list because of a rib cage injury, was with the team in Atlanta. Nevin said Trout “feels good today.” Trout is eligible to be activated as soon as Monday, and Nevin said he’ll be out “hopefully not too much longer than that.”
“He’s getting treatment,” Nevin said, “but it’s obviously not there. It’s going to take a minute.”
Although the Angels’ playoff chances remain slim, they are hoping to make a second half turnaround, and getting Trout back will give them a big boost on the field and to their morale.
After being limited to 89 games over the past two seasons, Trout is batting a stellar .270/.368/.599 with 17 doubles, 24 home runs and 51 RBI in 326 plate appearances this year (79 games).
Trout commits to play for Team USA in 2023 World Baseball Classic
Trout revealed last week that he will be competing and serving as the captain for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“I was excited when [Team USA GM Tony Reagins] first came up and talked to me,” Trout said. “It means a lot. I missed the opportunity the first time and I knew this was a chance I can’t miss. It’ll be fun for the team that we put together, and I’m looking forward to it in March.”