ANAHEIM, Calif. — For the third time within the final 4 seasons, Mike Trout’s yr has ended prematurely due to harm.
The three-time MVP will miss the remainder of 2024 with a second meniscus tear of his left knee, the group introduced, and he later confirmed.
“After months of laborious work, I used to be devastated (Wednesday) when an MRI confirmed a tear in my meniscus that may require surgical procedure once more,” Trout posted on X. “Enjoying and competing is a large a part of my life. That is equally as heartbreaking and irritating for me as it’s for you, the followers.”
The circumstances of how Trout tore his meniscus once more are unclear. He initially had surgical procedure for a tear Could 3, and after a longer-than-usual restoration, he started a rehab project final week at Triple A.
His rehab project lasted simply two innings, and he returned to Anaheim for additional analysis after some discomfort. An MRI got here again clear, and Trout stated he anticipated an imminent restart of his rehab course of.
Nevertheless, he began to really feel important ache Monday, Los Angeles Angels basic supervisor Perry Minasian stated. Observe-up imaging revealed the tear. It’s unclear whether or not there was a particular incident that brought on him to grow to be reinjured.
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) August 1, 2024
“I’m not the emotional sort, however being within the room with him and listening to the information was robust,” Minasian stated. “No person desires to play extra, no one cares about this constructing, this fan base, this group, greater than he does. He’s going to return again … he’s going to win the MVP, and he’s going to hit 70 dwelling runs. Guide it.”
The tear of the meniscus was in a special spot, Minasian stated. So it was not essentially a retear of his preliminary harm.
“There’s no occasion,” he stated. “This isn’t someone that’s out enjoying one-on-one basketball. You know the way dedicated this man is to getting again. I do know everyone’s like, ‘What occurred? Why?’ I get it. I’ve the identical questions. With that being stated, generally issues occur. And generally, that’s the reply.”
Minasian added that the Angels haven’t mentioned transferring Trout out of middle area, or how they’re going to need to handle his physique. At this level, nonetheless, Trout’s sturdiness is of professional concern. He can have performed a median of 66.5 video games per season over the past 4 years.
Trout missed the final four-plus months of 2021 with a calf pressure. He missed a month in 2022 with a again harm. He missed the second half of final season with a hamate fracture. And now, in 2024, the knee points have persevered.
“The accidents are actual. I get it,” Minasian stated. “These are information. I additionally know that is somebody who will do all the things he probably can to get again on the sector. We have to make contingency plans for everyone on the roster.”
The truth, although, is that Trout is not only anyone. He’s an all-time famous person underneath contract for the following six seasons, and owed greater than $210 million. Notable adjustments would possibly have to be made to how the Angels take care of his workload, and the way typically he performs the sector.
“No, there’s lots of people which have had meniscus operations,” supervisor Ron Washington stated when requested whether or not they’ll must handle Trout in a different way subsequent yr. “It’s simply unlucky that his popped once more. He’s going to get sturdy, he’s going to get into spring coaching, he’s going to arrange for a season, and we’re trying ahead to when he returns.”
Minasian stated the group had already been discussing potential swing adjustments with Trout in current weeks. The GM stated Trout was “actually, actually excited” about implementing them upon his return.
On prime of Trout’s accidents, his on-field efficiency when wholesome was not the identical because it had been throughout his finest years. He hit simply .220 with an .867 OPS this season, nicely beneath profession averages.
It’s a tough time for Trout, who will flip 33 on Aug. 7. After 9 years with virtually no well being points — 9 years when he was unequivocally the sport’s finest offensive participant — the final 4 seasons have marked a drastic shift.
The Angels nonetheless imagine Trout could be an MVP sooner or later. The current, nonetheless, affords a much more bleak outlook.
“It makes us all speechless,” stated Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who has stepped up as a group chief over the past yr. “I really feel for him greater than anybody. I really feel for his household too. Beckham (Trout) loves coming and watching his dad ball out, as will we. So, sure, it’s irritating information.”
(Picture of Mike Trout: Ronald Martinez / Getty Photos)