Mike Trout to Miss Remainder of 2024 Season Due to Severe Knee Injury
Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian confirmed today that star outfielder Mike Trout will be sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season due to a torn left meniscus. The injury, originally sustained on April 29, has kept Trout off the field since then.
Despite a promising start to the season, where Trout slugged 10 home runs in just 29 games, his early exit was a significant blow to the Angels’ campaign. This latest injury is part of a troubling pattern for Trout, who has struggled with various ailments over the past four years. Remarkably, he has participated in only 266 of the 648 possible games during this period, translating to an alarming 41% participation rate.
A Career Marred by Injuries
Further magnifying Trout's durability concerns, a telltale sign is his performance after the All-Star breaks from 2021 to 2024. Across those four seasons, he managed to put together just 41 games. With his 33rd birthday around the corner, questions about his ability to stay healthy loom larger than ever.
Trout’s significant contract only compounds the implications of his frequent injuries. In March 2019, he signed a monumental 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels. Now in the sixth year of that contract, the financial and strategic burdens are becoming increasingly apparent. Trout is under contract until 2030, with the team obligated to pay him $35.45 million annually from 2025 to 2030, adding up to a staggering $212.7 million.
Angels’ Persistent Struggles
Despite housing two of baseball’s most dynamic players in Trout and two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have failed to post a winning record or make a postseason appearance during their six seasons together. The sole playoff appearance of Trout’s illustrious career dates back to 2014 when the Angels were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series.
This ongoing drought is partly influenced by owner Arte Moreno’s restrictions on exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold, a move that has limited the front office's financial flexibility. The team’s struggles can also be traced back to poor player development, questionable free-agent signings, and a series of unsuccessful trades. Last August, the Angels shed payroll to avoid the competitive balance tax, highlighting their persistent management issues.
A Weighty Contract?
With Trout frequently on the injured list, the financial commitment tied to his contract increasingly appears to be a weighty burden for the franchise. Balancing the need to build a competitive team while accommodating Trout’s substantial salary remains a daunting challenge for the Angels.
As one of the most revered players in the game, Trout had an MVP-winning season in 2019 and finished in the top five in MVP voting in 2020. However, those accolades feel like distant memories as the team grapples with getting their star player back on the field—healthy and consistent.
The Angels’ missteps over the years have positioned them as one of the most mismanaged franchises in baseball. The ongoing saga around Trout’s health and the immense financial commitments further exemplifies the complexities faced by the team.
Looking ahead, the Angels and their fans can only hope that Trout’s recovery is swift and successful, as his presence on the field remains vital for any hopes of reversing the team's fortunes. For now, however, Mike Trout’s prolonged absence will cast a long shadow over the remainder of the 2024 season.