Los Angeles Angels’ MVP, Mike Trout, remains optimistic but uncertain about his progress in recovering from a wrist ailment. In a tweet from Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register, Trout mentioned that he has taken steps to return to the field but is unsure when he’ll be back in game action.
Trout suffered a hamate bone injury in his wrist during a game against the San Diego Padres on July 4th. Since then, he has been sidelined, and the team is eagerly awaiting his return, especially with outfielder Taylor Ward also likely out for the rest of the regular season.
Before his injury, Trout was having another outstanding All-Star season, boasting a .268 batting average with 18 home runs and an impressive OPS+ of 132.
Despite Trout’s absence and uncertainties surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s upcoming free agency in the winter, the Angels have opted not to sell at the trade deadline. In fact, the team has made several acquisitions, surpassing the luxury tax for the first time during owner Arte Moreno’s tenure.
Among the notable acquisitions are pitcher Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox. Giolito made his first start for the Angels in Toronto but encountered some struggles in his second start against Atlanta. Nevertheless, adding him to the roster was vital to maintain starting depth, especially after Griffin Canning’s recent injury.
The bullpen also received a boost with the addition of Dominic Leone from the Mets. The trade with the New York team allowed the Angels to bolster their relief options.
On the offensive side, the Angels acquired power bat CJ Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies, following the earlier trade that brought infielder Mike Moustakas to Anaheim.
While the Angels have made strategic moves to strengthen their roster, Mike Trout’s return remains crucial to their postseason aspirations. If the rest of the team can maintain a winning pace, the Angels may have a chance to rekindle the excitement of the rally monkeys in Anaheim for the first time since 2014. The road ahead may be challenging, but the optimism surrounding Trout’s potential return keeps hope alive for the Angels and their fans.
