Latest progress has Trout confident return is near

ARLINGTON -- Star Angels center fielder Mike Trout doesn’t have an exact return date set, but he was in good spirits on Monday when providing an update on his recovery from a fractured left wrist. Ahead of the Angels' opener with the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Trout said he will return to the diamond when he can tolerate the pain.

“My recovery is getting better every day,” Trout said. “I’m just taking it day by day. I was on the hitting machine [Friday], and the progress has been great. I still feel a little pain, but each day is getting better."

Having missed extended time with an injury before, Trout has learned about the recovery process and he’s using that knowledge to his benefit.

“I think it’s better because I know it’s just a pain tolerance thing. It’s not like a calf injury when you are worried about injuring it again. I talked to some doctors, and they said I can’t really reinjure it -- it’s just all about pain tolerance.”

It’s no secret that the Angels sorely miss the three-time American League MVP. Since Trout’s last game on July 3, the club is 13-19 and has dropped to 6 1/2 games back in the AL Wild Card race.

Even after making a pair of splash moves at the Trade Deadline, the Halos have struggled to find their footing and are 3-9 to begin August entering Monday.

“Not being out there is the toughest thing for me right now,” Trout said. “I’ve been doing everything I can to help the team in meetings and being as supportive as I can, but it’s really frustrating for me to not be out there.”

Trout was unable to take batting practice for six weeks after getting stitches, but he made significant strides in his recovery on Friday, when he swung against a pitching machine.

“I’m feeling better every day,” Trout said. “I’m getting more confident with my swing. Once it gets to a point where the pain is bearable, I’ll be out there.”

Despite the team’s recent struggles, the Halos don’t plan to rush Trout back into the lineup. Manager Phil Nevin noted that the pain in Trout’s wrist needs to subside more before he returns.

“It’s all about how he’s feeling,” Nevin said. “Each day, he’s progressed more and he’s getting closer and closer. He’s doing everything in the cage and hitting off the machine.

“I’m not going to tell you that it’s been pain-free and [Trout] isn’t going tell you that either. So, he’s going to play with some discomfort when he comes back, it’s just a matter of what level he is at.”

Nevin noted that lingering wrist pain will likely prevent Trout from operating at his peak upon return, but he emphasized his confidence in Trout’s ability to play through it.

“I don’t put anything past [Trout],” Nevin said. “I know when he’s cleared and I’m able to pencil him in the lineup, I’ll feel pretty good about it.”

The return of Trout, who earned his 11th career All-Star nod this year and was hitting .340/.441/.680 in his last 14 games before landing on the IL, couldn’t come at a better time for the Halos. The Angels have stumbled in their bid to reach the postseason despite adding complementary pieces at the Trade Deadline, and they recently lost outfielder Taylor Ward for the season to reconstructive surgery on his face.

When Trout returns, he will join a new-look, much-improved Angels roster, after the team acquired starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and hard-hitting sluggers C.J Cron and Randal Grichuk at the Trade Deadline.

Though he was unable to swing until Friday, Trout has been doing conditioning drills and throwing on the field because the injury is to his non-throwing hand.

“I’ve been doing as much as I can for the lower half [of my body],” Trout said. “I’ve been in the weight room and running bases. I’m staying conditioned and doing as much as I can.”

Not counting 2023, Trout has missed 537 games throughout his career due to various injuries.