Before the Los Angeles Angels play the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, Mike Trout is anticipated to be activated off the disabled list, an individual with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
Since the transfer has not been made public, the individual talked to the AP on Thursday on the condition of anonymity.
On Thursday, Matthew Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake, leaving the Angels with a vacant roster slot.
After leaving the game against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning due to pain in his left knee, which was later determined to be a bone bruise, Trout hasn’t played since April 30. After tearing his meniscus, the three-time American League MVP required two knee surgeries last year.
After participating in the Angels’ first 29 games this season, the 33-year-old Trout has missed 26 in a row. The Halos (25-30) have lost five in a row and are starting a six-game journey.
Prior to being placed on the disabled list, Trout was hitting.179 with nine home runs, 18 RBIs, and a.727 OPS. During the Angels’ most recent series against the New York Yankees at home, he faced a minor league pitcher and performed some base running.
Since May 17, 2021, when he tore his calf muscle and missed the remainder of that season, Trout has missed 404 of the Angels’ 664 games, or over 61%. The slugger has missed at least 25 games due to injury for the fifth consecutive year.
After breaking a bone in his hand on a foul ball on July 3, 2023, he missed all but one game and five weeks of the 2022 season due to a back issue. Prior to his meniscus injury, Trout participated in 29 games during the previous season.
