Los Angeles Angels’ standout player Mike Trout is set to undergo surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee, putting him on the sidelines indefinitely. The team’s general manager, Perry Minasian, expressed hope that Trout would be able to make a comeback later in the season.
Trout, a three-time AL MVP, has been performing well this year, leading the major leagues with 10 home runs, along with 14 RBIs and six stolen bases.
However, this injury marks the fourth consecutive season in which he’ll face a significant setback. To address Trout’s absence, the Angels have placed him on the 10-day injured list and signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year deal.
Trout underwent an MRI after playing in the Angels’ recent victory over Philadelphia, where he experienced increasing discomfort in his knee. Reflecting on the injury, Trout mentioned feeling uncertain about when it occurred, speculating that it might have happened unnoticed.
He struggled with pain and discomfort throughout the night, prompting him to seek medical attention the next day.
This injury adds to the challenges faced by the Angels, who have had a tough start to the season with an 11-18 record, particularly after Shohei Ohtani’s departure in free agency.
Los Angeles also faced another setback earlier this month when Anthony Rendon suffered a torn hamstring, keeping him out indefinitely. The third baseman, who signed a $245 million contract, has also dealt with various injuries over the past four seasons.
Trout and Rendon are the highest-paid players on the Angels, each earning over $37 million this season.
Mickey Moniak replaced Trout in center field for the Angels’ game against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Trout, who won three MVP awards in the 2010s, has struggled with injuries since 2021. He missed most of the 2021 season due to a calf strain and suffered a back injury in 2022. Last season, he fractured a bone in his hand, limiting him to just one game after July 3.
Trout mentioned that he has never had knee problems before and acknowledged that undergoing meniscus repair is a straightforward procedure. Despite this, he expressed the difficulty of dealing with the injury.
