The Los Angeles Angels activated star outfielder Mike Trout from the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the host Detroit Tigers.
Trout, 31, has not played since July 12 when he left a game against the Houston Astros with back spasms. He since has been diagnosed with costovertebral dysfunction at his T5 vertebrae, which refers to the inflammation of a joint connected to a rib at the thoracic section of his spine.
The three-time American League MVP began taking batting practice on Saturday.
Trout is batting .270 with 24 home runs and 51 RBIs in 79 games this season. The 10-time All-Star has played in just 115 games over the past two seasons because of his current injury and a right calf strain that cost him most of 2021.
In 12 seasons, all with the Angels, Trout is a career.303 hitter with a 1.000 OPS, along with 334 home runs and 867 RBIs.
The Angels optioned outfielder Steven Duggar to Triple-A Salt Lake following Wednesday's game.
Duggar, 28, is 1-for-19 with 13 strikeouts in nine games with the Angels in 2022. He previously went 3-for-17 with 12 strikeouts in eight games this season with the Texas Rangers.
More must-reads: