The Los Angeles Angels’ situation frequently deteriorates, and it seems to do so in the most spectacular way possible. If you’re Mike Trout, the team’s most vital player, it seems to be especially true.
A shocking moment to conclude April was considered only a scare when Trout was taken out of the game against the Seattle Mariners on April 30th after attempting to leg out a ground ball and hurting his knee on first base. He hoped to play the next day against the Detroit Tigers. Rather, he was prevented from taking action.
The Angels made sure that Trout won’t be playing at all anytime soon after he missed the devastating series opener against the Tigers by placing the future Hall of Famer on the 15-day disabled list due to a bone bruise in his left knee.
It’s hardly the ideal situation to be sidelined for more than two weeks or more after wanting to play the next game, but that’s only the beginning. This isn’t your average bump or bruise; last season, Trout was only able to play in 29 games due to this same knee. He sustained not one, but two torn meniscus injuries in the same knee. Last year, he needed surgery to fix the same knee.
Mike Trout’s injured list stint could spell disaster for both him and the Angels
The Angels’ 2025 success will be determined by their ability to continue developing their youthful core while playing competitive baseball. Although the initial outcomes of that endeavor have been conflicting, it is undeniable that the goal will be practically difficult to achieve without Trout for a considerable amount of time.
After Trout played just 29 games last season and averaged just 66.5 games per season over the previous four years, the Halos made the decision to move him from center field to right in an attempt to protect the 33-year-old superstar, who ironically played 29 games this season before being placed on the injured list.
Trout’s season thus far exemplifies the collective on-field output of the Angels. Both the highs and the lows have been extremely high and low, respectively. Although his batting average of.179 was eighth-worst among 164 eligible batters at the time of his injury, his nine home runs were only one run below the big league lead.
Perhaps there won’t be much of this and the problem is just a small bruise that needs time to heal. This is the Angels, however. Mike Trout is this person. The combination of “injury” and “Trout” normally doesn’t end well, and if that’s the case, the season as a whole is in significant peril.
