Mike Trout to Miss Remainder of 2024 Season Due to Meniscus Injury
The Los Angeles Angels' star outfielder, Mike Trout, will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a torn left meniscus, according to the team's general manager, Perry Minasian. This announcement extends the frustration for Angels fans, who have seen their iconic player miss significant time over recent years due to various injuries.
Trout initially sustained the injury on April 29, and despite early hopes of a return, he has been unable to make it back onto the field. Before his injury, Trout had already made a significant impact in just 29 games, hitting 10 home runs. However, his struggles with injuries have become a recurring theme. Over the past four seasons, Trout has been limited to just 266 of the 648 possible games, appearing in only 41% of the games. His performance post-All-Star break between the 2021 and 2024 seasons further underscores this issue, as he managed to play in just 41 games during that period.
As Trout approaches his 33rd birthday next week, concerns about his durability are growing. The 12-year, $426.5 million extension he signed with the Angels in March 2019 was supposed to secure him as the franchise cornerstone. However, the sixth year of this contract brings more financial and strategic implications as the team grapples with his absence and the substantial amount of money still owed to him. Trout is under contract through 2030, with the Angels committed to paying him $35.45 million per year from 2025 to 2030, amounting to $212.7 million.
Despite having both Trout and dynamic two-way player Shohei Ohtani on their roster for six seasons, the Angels have failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance. This lack of success has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including poor player development, questionable free-agent signings, and a series of unsuccessful trades. The team's struggles were further highlighted last August when they shed payroll to avoid the competitive balance tax, a move that underscored their ongoing challenges.
Arte Moreno, the Angels' owner, has imposed a restriction on the team's ability to exceed the competitive balance tax threshold, compounding their difficulties in fielding a competitive team. This restraint, coupled with Trout's frequent injuries and the significant financial obligations tied to his contract, has contributed to the perception that the Angels are one of Major League Baseball's most mismanaged franchises.
The sole postseason appearance during Trout's career with the Angels was in 2014 when they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series. Despite his individual excellence, including an MVP-winning season in 2019 and a top-five MVP finish in 2020, the team's struggles have persisted.
As the Angels navigate the remainder of the 2024 season without their superstar, the focus will undoubtedly be on how they address their broader organizational issues and plan for the future. Trout's injuries and the weight of his contract will continue to be significant factors in the team's strategy moving forward.
The coming offseason will be critical for the Angels as they look to regroup and reassess their approach. While Trout remains one of the game's brightest talents, ensuring his health and managing his contract obligations will be essential if they hope to turn their fortunes around and finally return to postseason contention.