Mike Trout is out for the season, Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters on Thursday. Trout, who underwent knee surgery in April, suffered another meniscus tear this week that set back his rehabilitation and sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The three-time MVP released a statement after the news, saying in part:
“Playing and competing is a huge part of my life. This is equally as heartbreaking and frustrating for me as it is for you, the fans. I understand that I may have disappointed many, but believe me, I will do everything I can to come back even stronger.”
Trout suffered a torn meniscus on April 29 and underwent successful surgery on his left knee. Although Trout could have continued playing through the injury as a designated hitter, he choose to undergo surgery instead to not spend the rest of the season in pain. At the time, the surgery was not expected to be season-ending.
Trout was sent to the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City for rehab on July 20, but only lasted one at-bat before leaving the game with left knee soreness, which was then noted as a day-to-day injury. Minasian raised the possibility of a setback in Trout’s rehabilitation on Tuesday.
Prior to the injury, Trout was hitting .220 with 10 home runs, 14 RBI and an .867 OPS in 29 games.
Trout has now missed large chunks of three of the past four seasons after starting his career with one of the best stretches of hitting in baseball history. He has 11 All-Star appearances and nine Silver Sluggers to his name in addition to the trio of MVPs.
He’s played just 111 combined games in the past two seasons due to various injuries.
The Angels have struggled in his absence, sitting at fourth place in the AL West with a 47-61 record.