Mike Trout has two hits in first game since last May as Angels win exhibition

It had been 10 months — 306 days, to be precise — since Mike Trout performed in a aggressive baseball recreation, so lengthy that the crew the Angels heart fielder suffered a season-ending damage towards in 2021 not exists.

Trout was operating from second to 3rd on a Jared Walsh fly ball to shallow left area within the first inning towards the Cleveland Indians final Might 17 when he felt a pop in his decrease leg and suffered a right-calf pressure.

The three-time American League most dear participant hobbled to the third base dugout at Angel Stadium and by no means performed once more, a late-July setback sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

The Indians by no means returned. They modified their identify to the Guardians over the winter. Trout did, and he confirmed a big crowd at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Saturday what the Angels have been lacking, singling sharply twice to left-center area in two at-bats in a 12-5 Cactus League win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It’s been a very long time,” Trout stated after exiting a recreation during which the Angels had 19 hits, together with homers by Taylor Ward, Max Stassi, Jack Mayfield and Jose Rojas. “I’m simply excited to be on the market and wholesome.

“I used to be a little bit anxious earlier than the sport, however it felt actually good. Two at-bats, noticed some pitches. … Simply with the ability to go on the market and be with the blokes is enjoyable.”

Trout hit third Saturday behind Shohei Ohtani, an alignment supervisor Joe Maddon stated he’ll in all probability use within the common season, with Anthony Rendon batting cleanup. He might additionally bat Ohtani leadoff and Trout second.

“It’s attainable,” Maddon stated of Ohtani and Trout hitting second and third, respectively. “Shohei might additionally hit No. 1. So long as Anthony’s right here, that makes issues totally different. I haven’t selected that but.”

Trout has hit second in 665 profession begins and third in 420 begins. He hit second in his first 35 begins final season earlier than Maddon switched him and Ohtani, the two-way star who hit 46 homers and 100 RBIs, for that Might 17 recreation.

“Yeah, I prefer it,” Trout stated of batting behind Ohtani. “He will get on base rather a lot. He does hit homers, although. The meat of the lineup, it’s gonna be fairly good.”

Who’s on first?

Justin Upton, probably. The veteran left fielder, whose enjoying time may very well be squeezed by younger outfielders Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh, is figuring out at first base this spring in hopes of giving Maddon one other right-handed-hitting choice if he needs to take a seat Walsh towards a tricky left-hander.

Walsh was an All-Star in 2021, batting .277 with an .850 on-base-percentage, 29 homers and 98 RBIs, however he hit .170 with a .565 OPS in 192 plate appearances towards left-handers.

“There could also be some alternatives there,” Maddon stated of Upton. “There are other ways to get his bat within the lineup. He began out as a shortstop years in the past, so he doesn’t thoughts being on the grime in any respect.”

Upton, 34, was restricted by again accidents to 89 video games in 2021, a season during which he hit .211 with a .705 OPS, 17 homers and 41 RBIs. Within the closing 12 months of a five-year contract that can pay him $28-million this season, Upton is extra involved along with his well being than his place.

A toe damage restricted him to 63 video games in 2019. He batted .339 with a 1.093 OPS final June earlier than happening the injured checklist June 23. He aggravated the damage in late July and hit .126 with a .442 OPS, three homers and 9 RBIs in 26 video games over the ultimate three months.

“If I can keep on the sector, I’ll produce,” stated Upton, who singled and was hit by a pitch Saturday. “That’s the secret. Well being is wealth.”

Huge in Japan

Trout received a kick out of a video clip during which new Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, when requested throughout his introductory information convention why he selected No. 27, stated “Mike Trout … I like you.”

Trout spoke to Ohtani about Suzuki on Saturday morning.

“That was superior, fairly cool,” Trout stated. “Once I received that alert on my telephone, I believed … I’m simply trying ahead to assembly him.”