The Los Angeles Angels were the recipients of good news this week after learning of the progress that their star outfielder Mike Trout made on his wrist injury, specifically a fractured left hamate bone that has kept him out of the lineup for more than a month now.
The 32-year-old sustained the injury during their July 3 match against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park when he fouled a ball back while facing San Diego right-hand pitcher Nick Martinez in the eighth inning.
The three-time American League MVP was initially expected to be out for four to eight weeks, at least early August and potentially into September.
The 11-time MLB All-Star provided the update on Monday but did not ultimately give a set date for his return.
"I know that it's just a pain tolerance thing; once it gets to a point where it's bearable, I'll be out there," Trout said before their 12-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday.
The three-time All MLB First Team member added that the wrist injury primarily affects him while batting, and he has been working out in the outfield.
He started to take swings against a hitting machine last Friday, but he has not yet faced the machine at a top velocity.
Trout recently sent a message to all baseball and softball athletes and fans concerning mental health.
The nine-time recipient of the league's Silver Slugger Award has been named a Mental Wellness Ambassador as part of the MLB Together platform by the league, which aims to help communities through engagement, nonprofit partnerships, social impact, and volunteerism.
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Angels manager provides an additional update
Angels manager Phil Nevin also gave his own update regarding the star outfielder, saying that the next step for Trout is to face live pitching, which could happen a few days from now.
The 52-year-old coach said that, for the most part, it's about Trout's pain tolerance and where he thinks he's at.
"If he can face a pitcher and let it go, which he's getting real close, if he's facing velocity off the machine, he's doing everything in the cage," Nevin added.
The Angels are lagging behind the playoff picture, posting a 59-61 win-loss record, 12.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West and seven games out of the American League's final wild card.
Trout has played in the majority of the Angels' games this season, seeing action in 81 of the team's 120 games.
The two-time AL Aaron Hank Award winner has a batting average of .263, with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs in the 2023 MLB season so far.
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