The Los Angeles Angels fell to the San Diego Padres in their first of three games at Petco Park. It was their fourth loss in their last eight games, but the most sour note was star centerfielder Mike Trout exiting in the eighth inning with an injury.
Down by six runs, Trout led off the eighth frame and on an 0-2 swing, he fouled a ball off and immediately showed clear discomfort. The 11-time All-Star was met by Angels’ head athletic trainer Mike Frostad, who accompanied him down the tunnel into the clubhouse after it was clear he needed to leave the game.
Trout’s comments postgame were a tad concerning, but the he needed to undergo more testing to determine what the injury was, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“I’m just praying the results come back clean,” Trout said after undergoing tests after the game. “It doesn’t feel great. Hopefully it’s just a sprained wrist.”
Following the testing, it was revealed Trout suffered a fracture to his hamate, a bone in his wrist that typically takes one to two months to heal.
The 31-year-old has wrestled with some injuries in recent years, all of which have forced him to miss meaningful time on the field. Following the game, Trout discussed the discomfort he was dealing with:
“Just really uncomfortable,” Trout said of the feeling. “I can’t really describe it. I never felt it before, ever. I never had wrist problems or anything. Just a freak thing.”
With just one more series after the Padres heading into the All-Star break, this injury for Trout is potentially devastating. From June 12 entering Monday, Trout had posted a terrific 172 wRC+ with four homers, seven RBI and 15 runs scored.
A slightly-uncharacteristic start is why his last few weeks were seen as scratching the surface of his incredibly high ceiling in this Angels lineup:
“I’m seeing the ball better,” he said. “It’s tough.”
Now six games back of the Houston Astros for second place in the American League West, the Angels face a tough challenge moving forward without their superstar center fielder.
Trout, who was voted as a starter for the American League in the All-Star Game, will now be unavailable to play.
Angels recall Jo Adell to replace Mike Trout
The Angels recalled outfielder Jo Adell from the Minor Leagues with Trout going on the IL> His extremely productive play with the Salt Lake Bees has provided a bit of buzz, especially his power numbers that have become the talk of his overall game.
In 72 games in Triple-A, Adell owns a .956 on-base plus slugging, with 23 home runs, 55 RBI, and 59 runs scored.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian could also view Mickey Moniak as another beneficiary of an increased role in the everyday lineup. His left-handed bat has stepped up in big spots, proving that with an opportunity, he can be a solid piece for manager Phil Nevin.
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