Angels Facing Mike Trout Decision After Unexpected Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 3:18 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout made his return from the injured list on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. Missing nearly one month with a left knee bone bruise, Trout rejoined the Angels in Cleveland where they lost two of three against the Guardians.

While it was another series loss for the Angels, who now sit 26-32 and fourth in the AL West, Trout's return provided reason for optimism. Going 5-for-10 in the three-game series against Cleveland, Trout drove in two runs and also made several hard outs.

Not yet playing the field, Trout was LA's designated hitter against Cleveland, and also returned to an unusual spot in the batting order.

In Friday's contest, Angels manager Ron Washington had Trout batting fifth. It was the first time since 2011 he had been anywhere below third in the batting order (h/t Bill Shaikin of the LA Times). Trout was then moved down one spot on Saturday, hitting sixth in LA's 7-5 loss.

This was an unexpected move by Washington, and one that leaves the Angels with a decision to make. Does the team move Trout back up in the order after a successful 5-for-10 weekend? According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, that is the expectation.

"He’s expected to move up in the lineup and play right field soon, but the Angels want to be cautious with him in the early going," Bollinger wrote on Monday.

doing what he does best pic.twitter.com/EQN0Oe0gpB
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 31, 2025

As Bollinger alluded to, Trout's spot in the order is not the only decision LA faces right now. The Angels must also decide when it is appropriate to place Trout back in right field, a position he moved to this season in an attempt to preserve his health after 13 seasons in center field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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