2024 has been one other misplaced 12 months for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
Trout missed important time once more this season, showing in simply 29 video games as a result of surgical procedure for a torn meniscus in his left knee. He tore the meniscus once more throughout his rehab task in Triple-A, requiring one other surgical procedure that pressured Trout to overlook the remainder of the season.
Angels beat author Jeff Fletcher reported on Monday that Trout has been hitting for a number of days and is trying ahead to a standard offseason. Fletcher additionally famous that Trout is prepared to maneuver to a nook outfield spot or turn into a full-time designated hitter for the Angels, saying that he’ll “positively attempt to discover each choice to preserve me on the market.”
Accidents have been an issue for Trout as he has missed important time in every of the final 4 years. He has appeared in simply 266 video games in that timeframe, taking part in in additional than 85 video games as soon as. Trout has impressed when he has appeared on the diamond in that span, posting a .276/.376/.575 batting line in his 1,133 plate appearances, hitting 76 homers and 51 doubles.
A transfer from middle might have been inevitable for Trout anyway. Angels fourth-ranked prospect Nelson Rada spent the season at Double-A regardless of being 18 years outdated. MLB.com tasks Rada to make his main league debut in 2026, one thing that’s fully doable given how rapidly the Angels transfer prospects by way of their system.
Making Trout the full-time designated hitter, or shifting him to a nook outfield spot, ought to alleviate among the put on and tear he has undergone. His historical past of lower-body accidents necessitated such a transfer no matter Rada’s ascension. Shifting Trout away from middle can be the best choice for each him and the Angels shifting ahead.