Trout out with torn meniscus, no timetable for return
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout needs surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, general manager Perry Minasian revealed Tuesday.
While the procedure is not expected to end his season, there's no immediate timetable for his return. It's believed he'll undergo the procedure on Friday, sources told ESPN's Alden González and Jeff Passan.
Trout appeared fine during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies when he stole a base and scored a run while playing all nine innings in center field. However, he finished the game with knee soreness that started in the third inning. An MRI taken Tuesday revealed the tear.
"It's crazy. ... I don't even know when I did it," an emotional Trout told reporters, per González. "(In the) third inning, after the inning was over, I was running into the dugout, I felt a little bit of ache in my knee. Not (a) serious ache, but I was like, 'Oh, that was weird.' Didn't think anything of it. I was hitting, running, didn't feel nothing. ... It was just after, when I did activity, when I sat down, when I got back up, that's when I started feeling it."
It's the latest setback for the three-time AL MVP, who's struggled to stay healthy over the last several years. Since 2020, Trout's played in just 266 contests and crossed the 100-game mark only once in that span. He's been his usual self when healthy, though, posting a .951 OPS with 76 homers across the last four years.
Trout missed most of 2021 due to a severe calf strain, then spent a chunk of the following season on the IL with back spasms. His stellar 2023 campaign was then halted by a fractured hamate bone last July.
"It's just frustrating," he said.
The 32-year-old was off to a good start in 2024, hitting .220/.325/.541 with 14 RBIs, six stolen bases, and a major-league leading 10 home runs through 29 games. This was the first year since 2019 that Trout had stolen more than two bases.
A few hours after announcing Trout's injury, the Angels signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year contract. Pillar, known for his excellent outfield defense, could act as a replacement for Trout in center while he recovers.
The 35-year-old Pillar was designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox after posting a .650 OPS with one homer in 17 games this season.
Los Angeles also selected left-hander Amir Garrett from Triple-A Salt Lake while placing Trout on the 10-day injured list. The Halos optioned right-hander Davis Daniel to Salt Lake and transferred infielder Michael Stefanic and righty Chase Silseth to the 60-day IL.