One other 12 months, one other severe damage. Thus describes the profession
of slugger Mike Trout, which has turn into painfully predictable. This time, it’s a torn
meniscus in his left knee that can maintain him out for the remainder of the season. Final
12 months, it was a damaged left hand. The season earlier than, it was again irritation. Over
the final 4 seasons, the Los Angeles Angels performed 648 video games, and Trout performed
in simply 266 of them.
Trout has turn into the definition of “injury-plagued,” and it’s
unhappy for a lot of causes. First, we get robbed of seeing a star enjoying on the high
of his sport. When fully wholesome, Trout is arguably the very best participant in baseball.
His final nice 12 months was 2019, wherein he batted .291, had a slugging
proportion of .645 and hit 45 dwelling runs. He received the AL MVP award that
season, which was his third.
One more reason why it’s upsetting that Trout can’t keep wholesome is as a result of he so clearly loves the sport. “Enjoying and competing is a big a part of my life,” he wrote on X in a press release about his damage.
“That is equally as heartbreaking and irritating for me as it’s for you, the
followers.”
That is in direct distinction to somebody like teammate Anthony Rendon who doesn’t appear to care whether or not he’s on the sphere or not.
Trout is anticipated to make a full restoration from his knee damage and could also be able to go when spring coaching rolls round. Angels common supervisor Perry Minasian thinks he’s not solely going to play, however dominate.
“My name is he hits 70 homers and wins the MVP,” Minasian mentioned, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “I consider it. Wanting on the look on his face, he may need the very best
12 months he is ever had subsequent 12 months.”
For his half, Trout is already serious about the long run, writing
in that X publish, “I perceive that I’ll have disillusioned many, however consider me,
I’ll do all the pieces I can to return again even stronger.”
So, the query most likely isn’t if Trout will return, however
ought to he? Whereas he’s simply 33, it has turn into clear that his physique isn’t up for
the problem of a grindingly lengthy baseball season anymore. If he does come
again, this may virtually actually lead to extra missed video games — and extra frustration.
Then there’s his long-term well being to consider. Does he
wish to threat additional accidents that might lead to long-term penalties?
What about what he’s returning to? The Angels haven’t
had a successful report in almost a decade, and the staff doesn’t seem like it would
be competing for a championship anytime quickly. Together with his onerous contract — which
runs by 2030 — Trout will virtually actually be caught in Anaheim. Does he
wish to come again to play for a foul staff?
These are all questions Trout will now have plenty of time to
ponder.
