Trout (calf) resumes on-field workouts

DETROIT -- Angels superstar Mike Trout took a positive step in his return from a right calf strain, as he participated in on-field activities at Comerica Park before Tuesday’s game against the Tigers.

Trout, who has been out since May 17, hadn’t done any on-field workouts since July 22, when he suffered a setback while running on the field at Target Field in Minnesota. There’s still no exact timetable for his return, and he’ll need a rehab assignment before being activated, but Angels manager Joe Maddon was pleased to see Trout back on the field.

“I’m glad he’s back out there,” Maddon said. “But this is one of those things where you have to wait until the next day to see how he feels, and then you plan it from there. There have been times where he’s tried things and then felt sore and had to back off before trying it again.”

Trout didn’t do any aggressive baserunning on Tuesday, as he was limited to stretching with his teammates, playing catch and shagging balls in center field. But he jogged off the field without any issues and will continue to ramp up baseball activity this week.

He also intently watches the games in the dugout with Maddon, and the manager said it’s another example of why Trout is such a good teammate on top of his talents as a nine-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP Award winner.

“He sits in a dugout and he roots for guys,” Maddon said. “He comes up to me with his observations. He's locked in every moment of the game. Yeah, we want to get him back. Yeah, he wants to be back. When you're building or creating culture, does it require somebody to hit 40 home runs and be in an MVP race? Or does it require somebody to show up every day and be supportive for everybody around him? Even though he's not able to play it, even though he is an MVP candidate on an annual basis, how does the rest of the group read that? That’s what I’m interested in.”

Maddon said it’s great having Trout on the road trip and believes the Angels have some of the best clubhouse chemistry among any of the clubs he’s managed. Fellow outfielder Dexter Fowler, who is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, is also on the trip, so he can rehab around teammates.

“I love the culture that this group is building right now,” Maddon said. “The young guys with the veterans. The veterans have a great influence on how to act, and that's what it comes down to. It's been fabulous to watch and listen to. Trout and [Anthony] Rendon have been out, and we missed Dexter this year. There's a lot of stuff that didn't roll right for us to this point. But in the meantime, guys that have had opportunity, have really taken advantage of it for now and for next year."