June 19, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on from the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Angels star center fielder Mike Trout hopes to return from knee surgery by the end of July in what has been another injury-shortened season for the three-time American League MVP.
Trout spoke to reporters Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., and said he’s confident he’ll be on the field in a month after recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee.
“I feel really good about stepping up,” Trout said. “I’m happy where I’m at right now. It’s a relief. I’m not giving myself a specific timeline. But once I can do all the testing and run, hit and throw, I’ll be on the field.”
Trout, 32, said it took him longer than expected to heal from the May 3 surgery because he dealt with pain during the rehabilitation process. It’s become more manageable as he plays catch and runs on an anti-gravity treadmill to reduce impact.
“The problem was, I wanted to strengthen the area around it, but I was doing exercises to try to do that and it was really hurting,” Trout said. “But now I am able to progress and do exercises without any pain. It’s awesome. I jog and have done small things like playing catch without pain. I haven’t knocked yet. The most important thing for me is just the racing part. »
Trout said batting won’t be a problem. He hasn’t hit in the cages yet and isn’t sure if he’ll need a rehab assignment.
“He’s feeling a lot better,” Angels manager Ron Washington said Saturday. “His legs look strong. He’s got a normal gait now. So it’s just a matter of when we’re going to get him out of here and let him start taking some shots.”
Trout was leading the majors with 10 home runs at the time he injured his knee April 29 in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, and he doesn’t know how it happened. He was hitting just .220 with 14 RBIs and six steals in 29 games.
The injury was frustrating for Trout, who has been plagued by health issues in recent seasons. A calf injury limited him to 36 games in 2021, a back injury helped limit him to 119 games in 2022, and a broken hand last season allowed him to only appear in one game after on July 3 and 82 games for the season.
Trout is a career .299 hitter with 378 home runs, 954 RBIs and 212 stolen bases in 1,518 games over 14 seasons, all with the Angels after being a first-round draft pick (25th overall) in 2009.
The 11-time All-Star was voted AL Most Valuable Player in 2014, ’16 and ’19. He also has nine Silver Slugger Awards to his name and was named the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year.
–Field level media
