Trout injured, exits early with right groin strain
Outfielder expects to avoid injured list, but will likely be out of lineup Wednesday
ANAHEIM -- After going 2-for-2 with two singles, Angels superstar Mike Trout exited Tuesday’s 11-8 win over the Brewers with a right groin strain in the top of the fourth inning, but he said after the game he believes it’s a minor injury and the club is confident he’ll be able to avoid the injured list.
After his single in the second inning, Trout grabbed his right side after being forced out at second base on a grounder hit by Andrelton Simmons. Trout is expected to be held out of the lineup on Wednesday with an off-day looming on Thursday and could return on Friday for the start of the club’s three-game series at Wrigley Field.
"I felt it running to second base in the first inning,” Trout said. “I wasn't worried about it. Then I got in the dugout, I still felt it a little bit. I went in the outfield, started getting a little worse. Just didn't want to push it. Obviously I wanted to go out there pretty bad, just go back out there, but it's better to take time now than it is if you go out there and blow it out."
Angels manager Brad Ausmus said he didn’t notice it until Trout was in center field in the third inning and was trying to stretch out his right side. Ausmus said he wanted to be cautious with Trout and that it was ultimately Ausmus’ decision after talking it over with the training staff.
“Trouty wanted to stay in the game,” Ausmus said. “He said there might have been a little soreness from a workout that he'd had either earlier today or yesterday, but we can't lose that guy for any length of time, so it was really my call. He lobbied to stay in and I said we can't take the chance."
Trout, who was replaced by Peter Bourjos in center, extended his on-base streak to all 12 games with his two singles and is hitting .406/.592/.938 with five homers and 12 RBIs. Trout said the injury was already feeling better after the game.
“It feels better than it did,” Trout said. “Obviously I wanted to get back in there, but after talking to the doctors it's a pretty good thing I came out. I didn't want to push it, especially this early in the season. I've just gotta get it right and when it's right, I'll play. We've got an off-day coming up. Obviously, see how I feel tomorrow. But I'm just happy it's not as bad as it could've been."