Trout to DL with right wrist inflammation
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ANAHEIM -- The Angels will have to carry on without Mike Trout for longer than they had hoped, as the star center fielder was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday with right wrist inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 6.
Trout has not played since Aug. 1 after jamming his wrist on an awkward feet-first slide into third base during a game against the Rays. Trout received a cortisone injection on Monday, and the Angels were initially optimistic that the 27-year-old would be able to avoid the disabled list and return to action for this weekend's series against the A's.
Trout took dry swings on Thursday to test his wrist, but the pain persisted, finally forcing the Angels to put him on the disabled list for only the second time in his career. Trout also missed seven weeks last season after tearing a thumb ligament on a head-first slide into second base on a stolen base attempt.
"It's frustrating, obviously, because you come in and you try to make it get better every day," Trout said. "The last couple days, it's been the same. It's tough, but I think these next couple days are big for me. I tried to swing yesterday. It was just really achy and sore. It's tough."
Friday's transaction means Trout won't be eligible to return until Aug. 16, when the Angels open a four-game series at Texas.
"It's not far enough along to where he would go out there and be able to push through it," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We anticipate him being back when his DL is up."
The Angels have gone 4-3 in their first seven games without Trout in their lineup. He is batting .309 with a 1.083 OPS, 30 home runs and 60 RBIs in 109 games this season. Eric Young Jr. has been filling in for Trout in center field and started his ninth consecutive game for the Angels in Friday's series opener against the A's.
Vladdy honored
Less than two weeks after becoming the first player to enter the Hall of Fame with an Angels cap, Vladimir Guerrero returned to Angel Stadium to be recognized during a special pregame ceremony. Guerrero took part in a similar ceremony in Anaheim last summer, when the Angels inducted him into their team Hall of Fame, which proved to be a prelude to his eventual entry into Cooperstown.
"I'm very happy," Guerrero said in Spanish. "Last year, they inducted me into their team Hall of Fame, and now they inducted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I'm happy that I can keep sharing that with the fans here."
Despite his status as a Hall of Famer, the Angels have not yet announced any plans to retire Guerrero's No. 27. One notable wrinkle: That number is currently being worn by Trout.
"We have to wait and see," Guerrero said, "but the guy using it right now does a very good job with it."
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Worth noting
• Left-hander Tyler Skaggs is expected to come off the disabled list on Saturday and start against the A's. Skaggs has not pitched since July 31 because of a left adductor strain. Sunday's starter has not yet been announced, though it will likely be a bullpen game for the Angels. Nick Tropeano had been scheduled to start Sunday, but he landed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation earlier this week.
• The Angels recalled right-hander Akeel Morris from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Trout's spot on the roster on Friday.
• Infielder Luis Valbuena, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, cleared waivers and was granted his unconditional release.