June 8: Trout told reporters after the game that he cramped up while legging out his double and felt it better to be cautious (link via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times). Trout called the injury “nothing crazy,” and the Angels, notably, do not have an MRI scheduled for today. They’ll see how Trout is feeling this morning before taking any further steps.
June 7: Mike Trout exited tonight’s game between the Angels and Red Sox in the third inning due to what the team later announced as left groin tightness. Trout stung a double into center field but was replaced a few pitches later by Jo Adell, who came into the game as a pinch-runner.
Trout has started 50 of the Halos’ first 56 games, with 48 of those nods coming in his typical center field position. The three-time MVP is having another incredible campaign, exiting play tonight with a .284/.388/.601 slash line with 14 home runs. Among qualified hitters, only Aaron Judge, José Ramírez, Paul Goldschmidt and Yordan Álvarez entered the night with a better wRC+ than Trout’s 183 — indicating he’s been 83 percentage points better than the league average batter.
The Angels are mired in a 12-game losing streak that has dropped them a couple games below .500. That skid already contributed to the team’s decision to dismiss manager Joe Maddon this afternoon. Nevertheless, the Halos entered play tonight only a game and a half back of the American League’s final playoff spot — a reflection of the club’s excellent play through the season’s first month-plus.
There’s no indication at this point that Trout’s removal was anything more than a precautionary measure. The Halos will surely provide more information on his status following tonight’s contest. Los Angeles is currently without Taylor Ward, Anthony Rendon and David Fletcher, thinning the position player mix and no doubt contributing to the team’s recent downturn.
