Angels' Mike Trout Eyes Late-July Return from Knee Injury: 'I'm Itching to Hit'

Mike Trout's injury absence appears to be close to the end.

The three-time MVP hasn't played since April 29 after suffering a torn meniscus. Prior to the Los Angeles Angels Saturday game against the Detroit Tigers, Trout gave an update on his status and said he would be disappointed if he wasn't back by the end of July.

"Oh yeah, I'll be back before that," Trout told reporters. "I'm not putting like, an exact timetable on it, but once I do all the tests and I can run, hit and throw, I'll be out there."

He elaborated by saying that he is excited to start working out again.

"I'm itching to hit. I feel like if I went into the cage and took some swings I would be pain-free," Trout said. "I think the biggest thing for me is actually the running part, but we have to build up to that."

If the Angels have any hope at a positive season, Trout needs to return to the lineup. He is a career .299/.410/.581 hitter with 378 home runs and 954 RBIs. Prior to suffering April's injury, he was hitting .220 with 10 home runs and 14 RBIs.

He has been unable to put a mostly healthy season together since 2019 and has not played more than 100 games since 2022. This has severely hindered the Angels in recent seasons, and this season has been no exception.

Los Angeles is currently 35-46 and are 10.5 games behind the first-place Seattle Mariners. It would take a remarkable run to get back into contention, but a healthy finish to the season from Trout would certainly be something to celebrate.