Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout has been having a bounce-back season in 2026, but he is now headed to the IL with a hamstring issue.
There aren't many reasons for fans to be excited about the Los Angeles Angels right now, but slugger Mike Trout has been a bright spot this year.
The Angels are in last place in the American League West and appear destined for another season without making the playoffs.
And, to make things worse, Trout is now headed to the Injured List with a hamstring injury, according to Sam Blum and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
"NEWS with @Ken_Rosenthal: Mike Trout is headed to the IL with a hamstring injury, sources tell @TheAthletic. Brutal news for Trout with ASG upcoming and a comeback season in the works. Christian Moore is getting the call-up," Blum wrote on X.
Trout's injury comes with the slugger in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, and he has hit .333 with a pair of home runs and a 1.106 OPS in his last five games.
Trout had played in 74 of 75 games for the Angels this season, so his health was finally trending upwards after some injury-plagued seasons.
Trout just played on Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks as well, so the timing of the IL move is surprising by all means.
On Tuesday, Trout hit his 17th home run of the season.
Moreover, the first phase of All-Star Game fan voting had Trout third in the American League and second among AL outfielders.
Trout had a total of 926,601 votes, and he trailed only Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, so he seemed set for another All-Star Game appearance this season.
This year's All-Star Game is in Philadelphia, and Trout recently said he hoped he could get in, especially with it being in that location.
“When it first came up a couple years ago that 2026 would be in Philly, that was one I really wanted to get to,” Trout said. “So to be up there in the voting means a lot. Hope I get in.”
The Angels star hasn't made an All-Star team since 2023, but he hasn't participated in the game itself since 2019 due to injuries, so he sure hoped to end that skid this season.
As of Thursday, Trout is hitting .234 with 17 home runs, 36 RBIs and 54 runs scored, so his numbers have certainly been deserving of an All-Star Game bid.
However, this injury could throw a giant wrench into that conversation. It remains to be seen how long Trout will be on the IL, but if it is 10 days, he should return before the end of June and allow himself time to get going before the All-Star Game in mid-July.
