Driving at the highest possible speed and then a sudden brake! That’s the exact feel for Angels now. For the last eight games, they have been stacking win after win, powered by the bats that didn’t know the concept of slowing down. The Los Angeles Angels dominated their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Next up, they handed back-to-back losses to the Oakland Athletics. But this power-packed hot 8-win stint ended on Saturday night.
The Miami Marlins walked away with a 6-2 victory.
Now, the Angels stand at 25-26. They managed to average more than seven runs each game during their winning streak. On the contrary, against the Marlins, all the Angels could do was score a run on a Taylor Ward sacrifice fly and one in the ninth inning on a Jorge Soler RBI single.
While the team is dealing with the sting of ending their skid, they are wrestling with another tough decision, too.
Since April 30, Mike Trout, the three-time AL MVP, has been out of the Angels’ lineup. Apparently, he injured his twice-surgically repaired left knee on an awkward step.
Lately, he has been doing sprints and taking batting practice. The Angels are likely to put him against a minor league pitcher in the coming days. And now that his return might be right around the corner, Los Angeles is in a tough spot. Will Trout be back as a right fielder or designated hitter?
Addressing the dilemma, manager Ron Washington said, “We don’t have to have pre-conversations.”
If we look at the scenario, Trout has started 22 games in right field and 7 as a designated hitter. If he returns as a DH, that means Jorge Soler will have to move. But he has reportedly played 33 games at DH. With Trout at DH, Soler might have to take the outfield or the bench. Well, one thing is kinda conceding that Soler’s defensive side is weak, and the Angels aren’t in a space to test it at this stretch of the season.
And what if Trout moves to right field? Well, Jo Adell is currently running that spot, with Matthew Lugo and Kyren Paris in center. So, if you know the drill, any of these three might have to move if Trout takes the right field.
Trout will be all cleared to play once his final big test is done — running the bases. So, the Angels must decide their next move with position swaps ASAP.
Angels’ star outfielder Mike Trout opens up about his return
With the Los Angeles Angels currently at 25-26, they would love to have Trout back in the mix to begin another hot winning streak. Trout has been better. He has been jogging, swinging the bat regularly, and playing catch without any setbacks.
And earlier this week, he even opened up about his health. “I came out good, feel good.” Further, he emphasized his excitement about the good changes he has noticed. “Really excited about where I am right now. We’re upping the intensity, and no soreness.” He revealed that the Angels have a routine for him that he has to follow every day.
Mike Trout is trusting the team with his return. “Hopefully I’ll be back running the bases soon,” he added.
Last season, Trout wasn’t as confident as he is this year. Even last year, he returned midseason from a torn meniscus, which turned out to be a season-ending injury. And now, after this long stretch of injury setbacks, he’s trusting the team’s training staff and is patient while attempting to make a return stronger than ever.
Trout, now 33, brings a sense of leadership and a calming presence to the Angels. His outfield awareness is stellar, and the team counts on him as a veteran leader. Undoubtedly, the Angels’ dugout and the field are waiting for Trout! Are you?
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