Angels don't expect Mike Trout to play again this season
Mike Trout's season appears to be done.
The calf strain that sidelined him in May is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the Los Angeles Angels schedule. Manager Joe Maddon didn't completely rule out a return of the three-time MVP while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. But he "would be very surprised if he does."
“There’s still that process of having to get him at-bats, and we got two weeks, 17 games left,” Maddon said, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times. “So it’d be very difficult. ... I’m just trying to be honest with you. And I would not anticipate [him returning].”
Trout's extended absence unexpected
Trout wasn't expected to miss the rest of the season when the Angels placed him on the injured list with a Grade 2 calf strain on May 18. He suffered the injury while running the bases against the Cleveland Indians. The team initially gave him a 6-8 week timetable to return.
Maddon remained optimistic about his status after the All-Star break, telling reporters on July 16 that he was close to 100% and that he expected him back within two weeks. That was two months ago.
Now the Angels are less than three weeks out from the end of their season. They're 70-74, well out of playoff contention. Even if Trout was healthy enough to play, it wouldn't make sense for the Angels to risk further injury to the nine-time All-Star.
It does make sense for the Angels to turn the page and hope that the return of a healthy Trout alongside Shohei Ohtani will lead to better things next year.
