ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout has repeatedly said he doesn’t have a timetable for his return. However, the Los Angeles Angels slugger admitted he would be disappointed if he didn’t play until the end of July.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be back before then,” Trout said Saturday before the Angels hosted the Detroit Tigers. “I’m not setting an exact timeline, but as soon as I get all the tests done and I can run, hit and throw, I’ll be there.
“I’m happy where I am right now. I’m relieved that I don’t feel (any consistent pain).”
Trout hasn’t played since April 29 after an MRI confirmed he had torn the meniscus in his left knee. The three-time AL MVP underwent surgery on May 3.
When Trout underwent surgery, the initial time frame was six to eight weeks. The recovery, however, was slower than initially expected.
Trout is running and working out on a treadmill, as well as playing tag. He didn’t start running or swinging.
“I’m looking forward to batting. I feel like if I walked into the cage and threw a few punches, I wouldn’t feel any pain,” Trout said. “I think the most important thing for me is the racing part, but we have to evolve for that.”
It remains to be determined whether Trout will require a period of rehab when he is ready to go.
This is the fourth consecutive season that Trout has suffered a serious injury.
He played just 36 games during the 2021 season due to a calf strain. In 2022, he was sidelined for five weeks due to a back injury.
Last season, Trout broke a bone in his hand on a foul ball during a game in San Diego on July 3. He tried to return in August, but only played one game.
Trout has played in just 266 games and missed 302 since the start of the 2021 season.
The Angels have won a season-high five games in a row. Despite their two highest-paid players being out of the lineup the past two months, the Halos went 14-10 in June after a rough start to the season.
One of the keys to June’s surge was Luis Rengifo, who leads the American League with a .315 batting average.
After going 7-21 at home in the first two months, the Angels are 10-4 in The Big A in June.
“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made with these kids, and I’m more than sure they’re pleased as well,” manager Ron Washington said. business. We’re getting there, but we’re not there yet.”
Trout and Anthony Rendon have been in the same lineup for just 118 games out of 568 since 2021 (20.8%).
Rendon missed 61 games with a hamstring injury that occurred in late April. The $245 million third baseman is expected to face live pitching next week and could be back in the lineup when the Angels return home on July 8 after a trip to Oakland and Seattle. Rendon has played in just 167 games since the start of the 2021 season.
