Angels star Mike Trout is undergoing a second surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending an injury-plagued campaign for the three-time MVP.
Trout said in a social media post Thursday that an MRI revealed the new meniscus tear. He had undergone surgery to repair the meniscus earlier in May and was working toward a return before his rehab was halted on Tuesday.
“After months of hard work, I was devastated when an MRI revealed a torn meniscus that required further surgery, ending my hopes of returning this season,” Trout wrote. “Playing and competing is a huge part of my life. This is just as heartbreaking and frustrating for me as it is for you, the fans. I understand I have disappointed many, but trust me, I will do everything in my power to come back even stronger.”
Trout is hitting .220 with 10 home runs and 14 RBIs in 29 games this season for the Angels, who are fourth in the AL West and have little chance of a playoff berth.
“It’s unfortunate what happened again, but he’s got a chance to get that leg really good and he doesn’t have to worry about anything other than getting ready for February,” Angels manager Ron Washington said.
The AL MVP in 2014, 2016 and 2019 and an 11-time All-Star, the 32-year-old Trout has been limited by a series of injuries the past four years. He has not played more than 119 games in any of the past five seasons. He was limited to 36 games in 2021 and 82 last year.
“He’s devastated,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters. “So am I, to be honest with you. I’m not the emotional type, but being in the room with him and hearing the news was tough. Nobody wants to play anymore. Nobody cares more about this building, this fan base, this team than he does.”
Trout is earning $37.1 million in the sixth year of a 12-year, $426.5 million contract and will continue to earn that salary in each of the next six seasons.
“He comes back next year, wins the MVP, hits 70 home runs,” Minasian said. “Book it.”
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The Angels were 10-18 to open the season with Trout, then went 10-17 in May, their first full month without him. The club went 15-11 in June, when outfielder Jo Adell hit seven home runs. Young players including Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and Logan O’Hoppe have been productive even as the team fell to 11-14 in July.
“If we had [Trout] on the field, [Anthony] Rendon on the field and [Brandon] “Drury on the field would have made a huge difference,” Washington said. “But we’ve had a chance to watch our kids grow and I’ve been very impressed with that group.”