Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout will not be returning for the rest of the season, according to manager Phil Nevin. This news comes as no surprise, as there had been no indication that Trout was progressing towards a return. The Angels have also been eliminated from postseason contention. Trout suffered a hamate bone fracture on July 3 and briefly returned for a single game on August 22 before experiencing hand discomfort and returning to the injured list.
The Angels have moved Trout to the 60-day injured list and called up right-handed pitcher Carson Fulmer in a corresponding move. This move allows Trout to not count against the team’s 40-man roster. With only six more games left in the regular season, Trout’s absence will not have a significant impact on the team’s performance.
Trout’s durability has become a concern, as he has missed a significant portion of the past three seasons due to various injuries. In 2021, he missed most of the season with a calf injury, and last year he was sidelined for a month with a back injury. This year, he has missed half of the season due to the long recovery from his hamate injury. Despite his injuries, Trout still had a solid offensive season, hitting .263 with 44 RBIs and 18 home runs in 82 games. However, he struggled to catch up to fastballs and had his worst offensive season.
The Angels have Trout under contract through 2030, and keeping him healthy and productive will be crucial for the team’s success. Losing Trout is another major blow to the Angels’ roster, as two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s season ended earlier this month due to an oblique injury. Ohtani also suffered a UCL tear in his pitching elbow earlier in the season but continued to hit. He has since undergone elbow surgery.
In conclusion, Mike Trout’s absence for the remainder of the season is not surprising given his injury history and the Angels’ lack of contention. The team will need to prioritize his health and find ways to keep him productive in the future. Losing Trout and Ohtani is a significant setback for the Angels, but they will need to regroup and focus on building a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.
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