Mike Trout was once again performing like an MVP for the Los Angeles Angels in the 2022 season, but a back injury caused him to struggle and miss time.
Trout was diagnosed with a costovertebral dysfunction at T5. Many feared that this injury could affect his career, but he ended up missing just over one month from July 12 to Aug. 19 before he returned.
Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad revealed that a series of cortisone injections helped Trout get back to a good spot, with much of his initial work coming through cardio workouts and core strengthening.
The 31-year-old performed at a high level once he stepped back on the field, and he has been able to continue with a normal offseason. “It’s not much different,” Trout said of his offseason training.
“Once the season was over, I really didn’t feel the back at all. The back has been a non-issue for the past four months.
“I felt it a little bit when I came back during the season last year, and then I’ve been on top of it pretty well. And just keeping the same routine in the weight room, just a warm up and making sure all the back muscles around it are strengthened and strong.”
After his return to the club, Trout posted a .293/.351/.657 slash with a 179 wRC+ in 154 plate appearances. That run included 14 home runs and 27 runs batted in, and a run of him playing in 36 of 39 games he was active for. This gave the Angels confidence heading into the offseason that their superstar wouldn’t need to worry about his back.
His run once he returned included a stretch from Sept. 4 through Sept. 12 where homered in seven straight games, breaking a franchise record and coming one shy of tying the all-time record of eight straight games with a homer. In that time, he batted .393/.433/1.214 with nine total extra-base hits.
Trout finished the 2022 season with a .283/.369/.630 slash, including 40 homers (the third-highest total of his career), and a 176 wRC+.
Before he begins his 2023 season with the Angels, Trout will captain Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Angels announce jersey patch partnership
The Los Angeles Angels and Foundation Building Materials (FBM) entered into a partnership that makes FBM the Official Jersey Patch Partner of the Angels.
Along with in-stadium, digital and radio advertising, as well as hospitality at Angel Stadium and Angels road games, the centerpiece of the partnership will see the company’s logo proudly featured on the sleeve of all on-field Angels players, manager and coaches’ jerseys.
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