Angel Trout Trout Trout has put back on a hold to return to the outfield and will continue to serve as designated strikers

Mike Trout continued to play as the Angels designated strike today, starting the series against the Orioles at Camden Field. Head coach Ron Washington said the arrangement would continue as long as Trout himself didn't ask for it.

Since playing with a bruise on his left knee in just the last two days of May, Trout has failed to play in 13 consecutive games, including 12 starts. If the three-time American League MVP thinks it's best for the team to serve as the designated striker (the Angels have an 8-4 record since his return), Washington fully supports it.

"At least for this stage, continue to serve as a designated striker. When he feels fit, he will naturally tell us," Washington said, "that Mike is not content to just play the assigned strike, he is looking for both offense and defense." But we have to make sure he's 100 per cent ready to play. "

"If it means he's going to hit the star game as a designated striker, then hit the star game; If the star wants to continue to serve as a designated striker after the game, then it will be done. We're not going to make decisions that hurt Mike, the team needs his base, we need him in the line. "

Trout hit 0.333/0.408/0.429 in the 12 games since his return, well above the season average of 0.223 before today's game.

Washington's cautious approach stems from Trout's injury history after turning 30: a future Hall of Famer who will turn 34 in August, a strained right calf in 2021, a back problem in 2022, a fractured hook bone in his left hand in 2023 and a torn meniscus in his left knee in 2024.