The Los Angeles Angels have missed Mike Trout at the top part of the order, most recently slowing down his return from hamate surgery on his left hand.
Playing in just 82 games on the year, Trout has otherwise been a lot of his regular self in terms of production. His 134 wRC+ with 18 home runs, and 44 RBI aren’t lost, because if stretched out over the course of a full season, he’d be a key contributor to this Angels lineup.
Unfortunately, he’d been out since July 3, when he fractured his hamate bone, requiring surgery. His rehab process was accelerated, mainly because of the spiraling nature of the team’s path and Trout’s attempt to be part of their turnaround.
Playing in just one game on August 22, Trout experienced some discomfort after a 1-for-4 performance, prompting the team to evaluate his status moving forward, per Sarah Valenzuela of the L.A. Times:
“I wasn’t right,” Trout told reporters in New York after being put back on the IL. “I was in some pain more than tolerable. I thought I could push it just to get back out there and just came in the next day really, really sore.”
There have been some rumblings regarding the availability of Trout via trade in the off season, and because of his recent injury status, teams could be leery of that.
His attempt to come back this season isn’t a need for the Angels as far as performance, but like other veterans on the roster, Trout might want to play just for a rhythm moving forward.
Mike Trout to travel with Angels on road trip
This week provides the first indication that Trout may be attempting to return before the end of the 2023 season, even if only for a few games. The Angels will be on the road for their final six games of the season away from Angel Stadium, and Trout will be with the team for it.
Angels manager Phil Nevin expects Trout to take big steps towards a return, and they could see a few appearances from their center fielder before season’s end.
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