Angels’ Centerfielder Mike Trout is expected to return to the lineup on Friday after the All-Star Break to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series in Anaheim. The 2-time MVP has missed the last 39 games while rehabbing a torn ligament in his thumb after sliding headfirst into second in a game vs the Miami Marlins.
Trout played four rehab games with the Inland Empire 66ers where he went 2-9 with a double, a triple, and four walks and five runs scored.
“I feel great,” Trout said on Sunday. “I had my thumb in a splint when I first took batting practice, but I took that off a couple of days ago and there have been no problems.”
Trout was on track for another MVP season before his injury. Before his headfirst slide into second base, Trout was tearing the cover off the ball with a .337 batting average, 16 long balls, and 36 RBI in a 47 game span.
The Halos found a way to hold their own without the best player in baseball going 19-20 without him with Eric Young Jr. and Cameron Maybin stepping up in the outfield. They are currently two games below .500 entering the All-Star game with a 45-47 record. The Angels are currently 16.5 games back from the division-leading Houston Astros but they are only 3.0 games back from the second Wildcard game spot.
Trout was selected for his 6th career All-Star Game but will unfortunately not play in the actual game.
Doubleday Double Talk 