The Los Angeles Angels are back in the mud once again.
The Angels announced on Tuesday that superstar outfielder Mike Trout is going on the injured list due to a left hamate fracture. Former top prospect Jo Adell has been called up by the Angels in a corresponding move.
Trout, who was just selected for the 11th All-Star appearance of his MLB career, left Monday’s loss to the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning after fouling off a pitch. Though it just seemed like a routine swing, Trout came away shaking off his left hand in pain and was unable to finish his at-bat.
Mike Trout exits the game after an apparent injury during his 8th inning at bat. pic.twitter.com/s0xSfpVQ3j
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 4, 2023
A hamate fracture, which is a repetitive stress injury sometimes seen in baseball players due to the constant swinging of the bat, is a big concern. It usually requires surgery and carries a roughly one-to-two-month recovery time. Additional time to regain full strength in the hand may be required beyond that, which is worrisome for a power hitter like Trout.
For the Angels, this is just the latest bit of completely rotten injury luck for them. Zach Neto, Brandon Drury, Logan O’Hoppe, and Gio Urshela are among their key position players who were already on the IL. Important pitchers like Matt Moore, Jose Suarez, and Ben Joyce are on the shelf too.
Trout, who was hitting .263 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs this season, is now the latest to join the laundry list. With the Angels sitting at 45-42 (six games out of the AL West division lead and three games out of a wild card spot), you have to wonder if the Trout injury will change their stance with Shohei Ohtani’s future at all.
