At first, the Angels expected Mike Trout to return 6 to 8 weeks after he strained his calf running the bases in May. Two months passed, then three. His first minor league rehab game remains an ambitious goal.
The Angels’ training staff looked on as Trout tested his calf in the Progressive Field outfield again Saturday. Speaking to reporters on Zoom afterward, Trout called the injury “one of the hardest things I’ve been through in my career.”
“I’ve been through some injuries but this thing is tough,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much I use my calf.”
Initially termed a Grade 2 strain, the injury was more serious than Trout or the Angels anticipated. Pregame workouts no longer cause Trout any pain, but his soreness persists after each one.
That’s why guessing when any potential rehab assignment might begin is problematic: it’s unclear when Trout’s after-workout soreness will abate, and his timeline for recovery is already into uncharted territory.
“It’s just breaking up that scar tissue,” he said.
Overall, this road trip has been full of progress. Trout hadn’t run any outfield drills for nearly three weeks before resuming them Monday. Merely joining the team for a grueling five-city, 11-day road trip signaled a return to action might be close.
Trout stayed home when the Angels boarded a plane for their previous road trip, a four-game series against the Rangers in early August. Manager Joe Maddon urged Trout to take his mind off baseball however he saw fit. The underlying concern ― that Trout’s mental struggle could eclipse his physical struggle ― was real.
Trout said spending time with his wife and 1-year-old son, Beckham, have helped.
“It’s definitely wearing on me a little bit,” he said. “I’m staying positive. I feel better and better each and every day. Feel great. Mental health is serious stuff. It’s nothing to just look over. Just staying positive. Trying to get my mind off it. Obviously when I’m here doing everything I can to help the team and stay positive.”
PUT ON A SHO
Trout offered a suggestion for teammate Shohei Ohtani when the Angels play Cleveland in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday.
“I’m trying to have him take BP … see how far he can hit ‘em. That would be fun,” Trout said. “The kids would enjoy that.”
Trout said he is looking forward to visiting Williamsport, something he did not get to do when he played for Millville (N.J.) American Little League. He fondly remembers hitting his first Little League home run. He also remembers the time his team finished in second place, a not-so-fond memory.
“I wouldn’t go out there and accept the trophy,” Trout said. “My mom and dad kind of forced me to go out there. I learned a great lesson after that. I’m real competitive. It’s not one of my good memories but it’s a funny one now looking back.”
ALSO
Time is running out on pitcher Alex Cobb, who has missed nearly a month with inflammation in his right wrist. Maddon said Cobb “felt better and then he didn’t feel as good” in his throwing program, adding that the right-hander isn’t expected back on the mound “anytime soon.” But Maddon hesitated to say Cobb’s season was in jeopardy. “It can shift like that to the positive,” he said. “I’m not getting awful reports.” … The Angels will use a five-man rotation for now, taking advantage of Monday’s off-day to give an extra day’s rest to Reid Detmers, Jose Suarez, Dylan Bundy, Shohei Ohtani and Jaime Barría. … Bundy and Ohtani will start Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, in Baltimore. … Left-hander Jose Quintana returned to the bullpen after making a spot start Thursday in Detroit.
UP NEXT
Angels LHP Jose Suarez (5-6, 3.88 ERA) vs. Cleveland RHP Cal Quantrill (3-2, 3.24 ERA) in Williamsport, Penn., 4:10 p.m. Sunday, ESPN, 830 AM
Jose Iglesias #4 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts while in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Amed Rosario #1 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo homer during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Reid Detmers #48 of the Los Angeles Angels leaves the game during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Right fielder Bradley Zimmer #4 of the Cleveland Indians catches a fly ball hit by Jared Walsh #20 of the Los Angeles Angels to end the top of the fourth inning at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates as he rounds the bases on a three run homer during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates as he rounds the bases on a three run homer during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Jo Adell #7 of the Los Angeles Angels strikes out during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Los Angeles Angels walks the dugout after a pitching change during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Myles Straw #7 Jose Ramirez #11 and Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after Ramirez hit a three run homer during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani takes off his helmet as he walks back to the dugout after grounding out during the ninth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. The Indians won 5-1. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Brandon Marsh can’t get to a double hit by Cleveland Indians’ Oscar Mercado in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Steve Cishek tosses his glove as he walks to the dugout in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani sits in the dugout in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians’ Austin Hedges and relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 in a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Jack Mayfield throws out Cleveland Indians’ Oscar Mercado at first base in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians’ Bradley Zimmer, Oscar Mercado, and Myles Straw hug after they defeated the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians’ Jose Ramirez, right, is congratulated by Myles Straw after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Jack Mayfield doubles in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians’ Jose Ramirez runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians’ Oscar Mercado hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
A fan of Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani holds up a sign during the sixth inning of the Angels’ baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani takes off his helmet as he walks back to the dugout after grounding out during the ninth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. The Indians won 5-1. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Jack Mayfield throws to first base but not in time to get Cleveland Indians’ Franmil Reyes in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Mike Mayers walks to the dugout in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)