Mike Trout’s return to the Los Angeles Angels has been worth the wait. In his 19th game back since his knee injury, Trout hit a 112 MPH home run deep into the left-center bullpen in the first inning against the New York Yankees on Thursday.
For Trout, who’s certainly no stranger to catching the injury bug throughout a season, his recent performances have been all the more encouraging.
The Angels had been treading water without their star slugger for consistency both offensively and emotionally. But Trout’s return has changed the tone of the clubhouse and the feel of every game.
Since rejoining the lineup at the end of May, the Angels are 11-7, and he’s batting .323 with a .430 on-base percentage and a .907 OPS. He’s added three home runs, eleven RBIs, and fifteen runs scored — all while walking more times than he’s struck out.
Angels’ Wild Card Hopes Depend On Trout
The Angels are fighting to stay afloat in the AL West. They are in the midst of a tight race with the Seattle Mariners (37-36) and Texas Rangers (36-39), and Trout’s presence in the lineup gives them a much-needed boost to head into the All-Star break still in good shape.
The three-time MVP has overcome his early-season struggles. Before the injury, Trout had posted a .179 average and .264 OBP — well below his usual standards. But even then, he had already hit nine home runs, suggesting that his swing hadn’t lost its thunder. Now, with his timing back and his knee apparently stable, Trout looks like a complete hitter again.
While the Angels couldn’t keep the pace with the Yankees on Thursday — falling 7-3 to break their three-game win streak — Trout’s 112 MPH blast in the first inning was a significant moment: His power has been restored when Los Angeles needs it most.
As he rounded the bases after his early dinger, Trout gave a subtle nod to his teammates, flashing a signature smile that spoke volumes. Despite questions about his knee, and his long-term durability, Trout looks like his prime self again.
Angels Want Trout To Stay Aggressive
Since 2021, Trout has missed more than half of the Angels’ games due to a series of injuries, including calf strains, a fractured hamate bone, and recurring knee issues. He’s played in just 41 percent of possible games over the past four seasons.
Manager Ron Washington has said the team will be mindful of Trout’s workload moving forward, possibly mixing in days at designated hitter or the occasional day off. But as long as he’s producing like this — and showing no signs of limitation — the Angels will keep writing his name in the lineup card every day.
“Mike Trout can still do a lot of things that a lot of people can’t do and he’s showing that,” Washington said earlier this month, via MLB.com. “He is swinging well, and we got to keep him swinging the bat. As long as he’s swinging the bat, he’s dangerous.”
For a franchise that desperately needs a return to playoff contention, a healthy and locked-in Trout might be their best shot.
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