WEST SACRAMENTO -- After staying healthy and remarkably playing in 74 of the Angels’ first 75 games this season, superstar Mike Trout unfortunately landed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain prior to Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Athletics.
It’s a major blow for the Angels and for Trout, who is on track to be named an All-Star for the first time since 2023. He injured himself while running to first base in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 8-1 loss to the D-backs. He initially thought it was a cramp but underwent an MRI exam that revealed a strain. Despite this, Trout remains hopeful he won’t be out long, because he felt much better on Thursday and was in good spirits.
“From last night to today, it's a night and day difference, so that's positive for me,” Trout said. “I was a little worried last night, but had a plane ride and just sitting down after playing, so that kind of came into effect. But feels way better today, so I'm not overly concerned about it, but I'm going to do everything I can in that training room and the weight room to get back.”
Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, is having a resurgent campaign, hitting .234/.394/.472 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, seven stolen bases, 36 RBIs and an AL-leading 54 runs in 74 games. He was third-leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game in last week’s ballot update, which meant a lot to him because the game is in Philadelphia, which is 40 miles from his hometown of Millville, N.J.
He said there’s no timeline for his injury just yet, but is hopeful he’ll be able to play in his first Midsummer Classic since ‘19, as he missed three straight due to injuries from ‘21-23.
"I really haven't thought like that,” Trout said. “Obviously, I want to play if I get voted in, but no timeline. If I put a timeline on things ... I've done that in the past and it’s just frustration whether you do hit it or don't hit it.”
Manager Kurt Suzuki said it was simply a fluke injury and didn’t believe it was due to how much Trout was playing this season, Suzuki also felt it’s unfair to criticize Trout for hustling in a blowout on Wednesday. Trout played in 130 games last year but dealt with a bone bruise in his left knee and was limited to 36 games in '21 (calf strain), 119 in '22 (back), 82 in '23 (hamate fracture) and 29 in '24 (torn meniscus).
“It was a fluky thing that happened,” Suzuki said. “How can you tell a guy not to play hard? That’s how Mike is wired, whether it's 8-1, 14-1. That’s what makes Mike Mike. He plays the game hard. He sets the example for everybody.”
With Trout to the IL, the Angels called up Christian Moore, who has been red-hot at Triple-A Salt Lake and has been playing some left field in addition to second and third base. Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, hit .333/.468/.585 with nine homers, 14 doubles, four triples, 10 stolen bases and 45 RBIs in 51 games to earn the callup. It’s the first time he’s been called up this season after slashing .198/.284/.370 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 53 games with the Angels last year.
He got the start in left field on Thursday, with Jose Siri expected to get the bulk of playing time in center in Trout’s absence.
"He's been playing really well,” Suzuki said. “It’s a newer position for C-Mo, but the reports are he was doing OK and made a couple nice plays. And he's obviously swinging the bat.”
It was part of several roster moves for the Angels, who also activated catcher Tyler Heineman after acquiring him for cash from the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Fellow catcher Logan Porter was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake alongside right-hander Brett Kerry, with right-hander Ryan Johnson called up from Double-A Rocket City to make the start against the A’s.
Heineman is considered a strong defender with parts of seven years of experience in the Majors. The Los Angeles native grew up an Angels fan because he admired David Eckstein. The 35-year-old slashed .289/.361/.416 in 64 games with Toronto last year but hit .154 in 33 games this year.
“It's bittersweet for me leaving the team that I've been with for parts of five years, but I grew up an Angels fan from Southern California,” Heineman said. “So really cool opportunity and I'm excited to be here and do anything I can to help.”