The Midsummer Classic that will be held at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday will be without Mike Trout, who hasn’t returned to the field for the Los Angeles Angels since he left in the fifth inning of their July 12 game with the Houston Astros due to upper back spasms.
However, it ultimately won’t be back spasms holding him out of the All-Star Game, as the Angels placed the superstar outfielder on the 10-day IL Monday morning with left ribcage inflammation.
Trout was named to his 10th All-Star Game, and his ninth as the American League starting centerfielder. However, in the days leading up to the Angels’ most recent series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his availability continued to be pushed back and the club opted to shut him down after pregame warmups caused the issue to flare up.
The injury has been frustrating for Trout, and his issues at the plate for over a month have only compounded the weight of his situation.
After the Angels made it clear that Trout would miss the All-Star Game, it opened the door for another deserving player, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
Angels superstar Mike Trout will miss the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, as he’s been dealing with upper back spasms. Mariners first baseman Ty France is replacing Trout on the American League roster and Minnesota’s Byron Buxton will take over for Trout as a starter in the outfield, Major League Baseball announced on Sunday.
This marks the third time in Trout’s career, and the second consecutive year he will pass on the All-Star Game, all due to injury.
Trout and the Angels hope this time will help give his back some rest and provide a bit of a reset.
“It’s a little concerning, but I’m staying positive,” Trout said after Saturday’s 7-1 loss to the Dodgers. “It’s just frustrating. I don’t know what really sparked it. I’ve tried to pinpoint it. I’ve taken a lot of swings over the past three weeks.”
Since June 2, Trout has a wRC+ of 138, which is still better than league average but has a batting average of .225, .321 on-base percentage, and an alarming 35 percent strikeout rate.
Trout All-Star Game appearances
With Trout’s 10th selection to this year’s All-Star roster, he is now tied for third among all active players.
Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals are both ahead of Trout who stands at 10 selections. Yadier Molina of the Cardinals wasn’t added to the roster this season in what will be his final in Major League Baseball.
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