Mike Trout is heading to the injured list with a hamstring injury, according to Sam Blum and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
## What happened?
The Los Angeles Angels star was having a fantastic 2026 season, hitting .234 with 17 homers, 36 RBI, 54 runs, seven stolen bases and a .866 OPS in 74 games.
He was on pace to have his best season since 2022, when he hit 40 dingers and had a .999 OPS in just 119 games.
But injuries have been a recurrent storyline later in his career, with last season's 130 games played being his most since 2019.
## Why it matters for Mike Trout
The 34-year-old Trout was second in the American League All-Star voting amongst outfielders after the first update, but his status for the July 14 game in Philadelphia is now uncertain.
And with the Angels at 30-45, a healthy Trout probably wasn't going to be enough to get them back into the playoff conversation.
## What comes next?
Depending on the severity of the injury, it will be interesting to see if Thursday's news affects his trade market ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline.
The Angels will likely roll with an outfield trio of Jo Adell, Wade Meckler and Jose Siri.
Christian Moore, a 23-year-old second baseman, has been called up in a corresponding move to Trout's injury designation.
Moore has been raking at Triple-A this season, hitting .333 with nine homers, 45 RBI, 55 runs, 10 stolen bases and a 1.053 OPS in 51 games.
So the Angels are hoping he can provide a spark with Trout's bat now removed from the lineup.
Trout's injury is a significant blow to the Angels, who are struggling to stay competitive in the league.
The team's management will be closely monitoring his progress and adjusting their strategy accordingly.
As for Trout, he will be focusing on his recovery and getting back on the field as soon as possible.
With his impressive stats, including a .866 OPS, Trout is eager to return to the game and help his team.
The Angels' fans are also eagerly waiting for his return, as he is a key player in the team's lineup.