ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout spoke to reporters today for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus. The Los Angeles Angels star revealed that before undergoing surgery, he was given the choice to continue playing as a full-time designated hitter. He instead opted to proceed with the surgery, which could sideline him for two to three months.
“That was an option they came up with,” Trout said. “It would have just been about maintaining the pain level. The day I had the MRI it showed that I was in a lot of pain, so it would have been difficult to endure for the rest of the year. I thought the best option for me was to do it right and be completely healthy to come back soon.
This would have represented significant pain management and could have limited his ability to manage the basics.
Trout was struggling offensively at the time of his injury on April 29. He hit just .220 and had an OPS of .867 bolstered by his 10 home runs in 126 plate appearances.
The superstar center fielder said he has no timetable for his return. He should be back by August at the latest. However, Trout has missed more time than expected due to past injuries – including his calf strain in 2021 and his broken hamate bone last year, both of which ended those seasons when they didn’t. Were not supposed to do it.
“It is what it is,” Trout said. “I play hard and things happen. I try to prepare my body, go play every night and give 100 percent for the team, the fans, for everyone.
Trout has expressed his opposition to playing regularly as a designated hitter. He said he hadn’t thought about what the plan would be upon his return when asked if he would consider serving as DH or moving to a corner of the outfield.
It’s unclear what kind of team Trout will return to when he’s healthy. The Angels entered Thursday’s series against the Royals with a 14-23 record, in last place in the AL West. The Angels added journeyman players like Willie Calhoun, Cole Tucker, Luis Guillorme, Nike Goodrum, Ehire Adrianza and Kevin Pillar as placeholders for a team hoping to stay competitive.
“We’re still looking to make the playoffs,” manager Ron Washington said Thursday. “If this becomes a rebuilding process, you will be the first to know. »
Further reading
• Angels’ Mike Trout undergoes knee surgery for torn meniscus and is expected to return this season
• Mr. Angel? Mike Trout’s chances of escaping the franchise now seem even less likely.
• For Mike Trout, injuries have become a painful, inevitable and consistent part of his story.
(Photo by Mike Trout: Ryan Sun / Associated Press)