ANAHEIM -- Angels superstar Mike Trout ran at 85 percent intensity and performed his normal pregame routine before Friday’s series opener against the Red Sox as he aims to return at some point on the club’s road trip next week.
Trout has been out since June 17 with a right hamstring strain, and if he returns next week, he’d be back in time for the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia. Trout -- a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star -- is expected to be elected an All-Star starter in the outfield when the rosters are announced on Saturday, and he’s talked about how much it would mean to him to play in this year’s edition because it’s being held 40 miles from his hometown of Millville, N.J.
“I'm not going to give a percentage, but it's looking likely,” Trout said of returning some time next week. “I feel fine. Feel good. I haven't felt anything in like four or five days. I’ve just got to get a couple of 90-95 percent back-to-back days and then be good.”
Trout, 34, said he performed the same routine he would if he were playing a game, as he took 15-20 swings off a tee, 15-20 off the machine and then participated in four rounds of batting practice. He also did agility drills on the field, including cutting in the outfield, but didn’t run the bases.
After the Angels host Boston for three games, they head to Texas for three games from Tuesday to Thursday before playing at Minnesota from Friday to Sunday to close the first half of the season. Trout said he likely doesn’t need a rehab assignment and isn’t sure if the club will be careful with a return to center field in Texas because of the artificial turf at Globe Life Field.
“Probably the first day DH, that's my guess,” Trout said. “I don't know if they want me going out there for three straight days on turf. [The turf] is not bad. But I don't really have a timeline of what they want me to do yet.”
Trout is also hopeful to participate in the All-Star Game for the first time since 2019, as he missed the 2021-23 editions due to injuries and wasn’t selected in ’24 or ’25 after sustaining a torn meniscus in his left knee in ’24. He leads all active players in All-Star Game selections and was the MVP in both 2014 and ‘15, but his last Midsummer Classic came in Cleveland seven years ago. He considered competing in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his 16-year career, but said he’s likely to decline because of the injury.
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Angels manager Kurt Suzuki knows how much it would mean to Trout to play in front of his family and friends in the All-Star Game, at Citizens Bank Park and has been encouraged by Trout’s progress.
Suzuki also would love Trout back in the lineup, as he’s had a resurgent season. Trout was batting .234/.394/.472 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, seven stolen bases, 54 runs and 36 RBIs in 74 games before suffering the injury while running to first base in Arizona. Jose Siri and Josh Lowe have been splitting duties in center in Trout’s absence.
“He looks good,’ Suzuki said. “I saw him today when I first came in. He was working out. He was obviously on the road trip, doing his thing. He’s getting really close. Really, really close.”