On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels welcomed Mike Trout back to the lineup after missing 38 games with a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. On Wednesday, he missed both games of the doubleheader. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani was removed after just 1.1 innings in the first game of the doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian revealed crushing injury news with regard to both players on Wednesday night after the conclusion of the doubleheader. And it’s possible that Minasian’s update could mean the end of not only both players’ seasons, but the final nail in the coffin on the Angels 2023 campaign.
Minasian revealed that Ohtani has a tear in his UCL that may or may not require surgery, but will keep him out as a pitcher for the remainder of the 2023 season. He also said that Trout is going back on the injured list after dealing with significant soreness following Tuesday’s game, via Bally Sports West:
“Mike Trout is going to go back on the IL. He tried to swing yesterday and it didn’t go well, so we’re going to put him back on the IL, give him some rest and see how that goes.
Obviously Shohei left the game today. We did imaging in between games, and he does have a tear (in his UCL) and he won’t pitch the rest of the year. We’re going to get a second opinion and go from there, but it’s basically day to day. Obviously he hit in the second game. As far as plans and details, I don’t have those yet.”
Minasian looked visibly dejected as he delivered the news to reporters in Anaheim, just as the team prepares to fly to the East Coast to take on the New York Mets. At this time, it’s unclear if Ohtani will be on the trip as a batter, but he is certainly out for the remainder of the year on the mound.
Trout, meanwhile, does not have a status beyond going back on the injured list. But with only 34 games remaining on the schedule, it’s difficult to see a path — or a reason — for Trout to return this season.
Ohtani’s free agency becomes an even larger looming story as he potentially undergoes a second Tommy John surgery. The Angels are getting a second opinion, but it will be fascinating to see how his value is affected by the news, regardless of his need for surgery.