:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69306170/1232936128.0.jpg)
UPDATE: The Angels announced they’ve placed OF Mike Trout on the 10-day injured list due to a right calf strain. Trout is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, which is not good news.
#Angels OF Mike Trout has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 18, 2021
Estimated return to play is 6-8 weeks.
Trout is currently the favorite at +175 to win AL MVP on DraftKings Sportsbook. A lengthy absence will definitely put a dent in what could be another MVP season for Trout. The Angels OF was on pace to have arguably his best MLB season, batting .333 with 8 HRs, 18 RBI and a 1.090 OPS in 37 games. His teammate, Shohei Ohtani, is second in AL MVP odds at +300. If you can grab Ohtani at those odds before they shift, get on it.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Baseball has been hit hard with injuries to its top-shelf stars this season. Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr., Jacob deGrom — they have all been banged up through the first six weeks of this season. Now the Los Angeles Angels — and Major League Baseball — may be without their best player for some time.
Mike Trout exited Monday’s game in the first inning with what has been diagnosed as a right calf strain. Trout came up hobbling while running from second to third base in the first inning of the Angels’ victory over the Cleveland Indians. He was immediately removed from the game. Trout is expected to undergo an MRI and speak with reporters on Tuesday.
Mike Trout is still undergoing evaluation and there's no early indication on the severity of his calf strain just yet, Maddon said. We should know more tomorrow.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 18, 2021
Trout suffered the exact same injury in 2019 and sat out three games. He missed a few games earlier this year after getting hit by a pitch on his left elbow. Trout has dealt with myriad injuries throughout his career and hasn’t played in more than 140 games in a full season since 2016. But the three-time MVP is in the midst of another phenomenal campaign, slashing .333/.466/.624.
And yet, even with his outstanding play and the awe-inspiring greatness of Shohei Ohtani, the Angels are 18-22, sitting in fourth place in the AL West. They haven’t had a winning season since 2015.