Mike Trout pulled from rehab assignment with soreness in surgically repaired left knee, will return to Anaheim for further evaluation

More bad news for Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels.

Trout didn’t play last night for Triple A Salt Lake and will now leave his minor league rehab assignment to be re-evaluated back in Southern California. He started his rehab stint on Tuesday, but exited the game after just two innings due to soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.

Mike Trout’s rehab assignment officially put on hold

Mike Trout’s long-awaited return from knee surgery has been put on hold after just two innings for Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Los Angeles Angels’ superstar is being sent back to Anaheim for further evaluation, the team said Wednesday ⤵️https://t.co/S4sPC6LasZ pic.twitter.com/ICmc2SiU8E

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 24, 2024

The three-time MVP went on the injured list April 30 with a torn meniscus he suffered against the Philadelphia Phillies. It required surgery, resulting in yet another extended absence from Major League Baseball.

Trout played just 82 games last season after he was suffered a broken hamate bone. A season prior, he spent five weeks on the injured list and in 2021, he missed most of the season with a strained calf muscle.

Trout has posted a dominant .951 OPS over 1133 plate appearances since Opening Day 2021 which includes 10 homers and a .220/.325/.541 slash line in 126 plate appearances this season.

Mike Trout's 7th homer of the season was crushed! #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/Q6LPwbMPKs

— MLB (@MLB) April 16, 2024

Still, the injuries for Mike Trout continue to pile up. Between a right calf strain, back issues, a left hamate fracture, and now this knee surgery, he has played in only 266 games since the start of the 2021 season.

The Los Angeles Angels have reached the playoffs just once during the past 11 years and the team hasn’t posted a winning season since 2015. 

The hope is that Trout will return to the Angels lineup in early August but it’s not like it will matter. The Angels are in the midst of yet another dead season, posting a 45-57 record ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline on July 30th.

Is Mike Trout an option on the trade block for the Phillies?

While it’s unlikely, I would still urge the Phillies to consider trading for Mike Trout. Even if they can get Trout to remain healthy for roughly 80 games per year, specifically down the stretch and into the postseason, he would serve as a massive upgrade to the outfield unit that outside of Nick Castellanos, has been miserable in putting runs on the board.

MLB Trade Deadline: ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes Luis Robert Jr is the perfect fit for the Phillies, another look at Randy Arozarena and Mike Trout >>

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