The Los Angeles Angels placed Mike Trout on the 10-day injured list with left ribcage inflammation, which ruled him out of playing in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
While that is disappointing news for baseball fans everywhere, Trout made an exciting announcement at Media Day that he will compete and serve 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.”
Trout opted not to play in the 2017 World Baseball Classic due to personal reasons. The next tournament initially was set for 2021 but got postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸@MikeTrout will compete and serve as team Captain for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/2oUpIGRWEm
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 18, 2022
“My first phone call,” Team USA general manager Tony Reagins said of Trout committing to play for Team USA. “I know who he is as a player and as a human being. I know how he’s going to represent our country, which is why we’re doing this. And I know he knows that, too.
“We already had some good conversations, so we’re going to be competing and there’s nobody better to be in the foxhole with than 27.”
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).
Ohtani won’t pitch in 2022 All-Star Game
Despite Trout no longer playing in Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, the Angels will still be represented by Shohei Ohtani, who is batting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter for the American League.
Ohtani was also selected to the All-Star Game as a pitcher, but he won’t take the mound at Dodger Stadium in order to focus on his upcoming start against the Atlanta Braves on Friday.
