The Los Angeles Angels have high hopes for the 2022 season. This is supposed to be the year that they return to the postseason, giving Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani a chance to compete on the biggest stage. For Trout, it would be just his second trek to the postseason as the Angels have failed to capitalize on having the best player in the majors.
Naturally, those hopes involve having Trout in the lineup. As such, it was understandable that there would be a great deal of concern when he was struck in the hand by a pitch on Sunday, leaving the game in considerable pain.
Los Angeles Angels can breathe sigh of relief on Mike Trout
Fortunately, the Angels can breathe a sigh of relief. X-rays on Trout’s left hand were negative and he is currently considered to be day to day. It would not be a surprise if Trout was to get the day off on Monday just to heal up a bit.
There had been some concern heading into 2022 that Trout’s best years were behind him. He missed most of the 2021 season due to a calf injury and had not exactly been healthy over the previous few years either. While such suppositions seemed peculiar, Trout needed a strong start to the season to prove otherwise.
He was doing his part heading into Sunday. Trout had seven hits and six walks in his 34 plate appearances, hitting two homers and two doubles. Maybe it was not the vintage Mike Trout performance we had come to know, but it was still a solid start to the season.
What is important is that he will continue to be in the lineup. The Angels have their sights set on the postseason, and Trout is an important part of those hopes. Losing him for a day or two is certainly a lot better than it could have been when he was hit by that pitch.
Mike Trout is day to day after being hit by a pitch on Sunday. The Los Angeles Angels can breathe a sigh of relief that it was not any worse.