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Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is set to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
The three-time MVP made his first comments on his long-awaited return after missing 26 games this season.
"Pumped to get back out there with the boys," Trout wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Pumped to get back out there with the boys pic.twitter.com/VqaQc40k9t
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) May 30, 2025
Trout was on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee and has been sidelined since May 1. Earlier this week, the outfielder ran the bases and had some at-bats against a minor league pitcher.
Manager Ron Washington said Trout did not feel 100 percent running the bases, which falls in line with the superstar's return to the lineup.
Trout is set to be the Angels' designated hitter for Friday's contest and will be hitting fifth. It marks the first time he has hit lower than the third spot in the lineup since 2011.
Prior to landing on the IL, Trout was hitting .179 with nine home runs, 18 runs batted in and an OPS of .727 across 106 at-bats. For the past three seasons, Trout has largely been absent due to injuries.
The Halos hoped 2025 would pan out differently for the face of the franchise. While Trout did land on the IL fairly early in the season, his recovery was rather quick.
The Angels will look to bounce back Friday after losing their last five games with Trout back in the lineup.
For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.
More must-reads:
- Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
- Historic loss to Rockies a big moment in Cardinals' trade deadline decisions
- The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
Notes from Cowboys' second training camp practice: Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players, Pickens injury scare
Dallas Cowboys' training camp practice No. 2 is in the books so let's cut to the chase on this one and get right into the biggest moments. From head coach Brian Schottenheimer cutting a fight short and threatening to kick out players to a tough injury scare, there's a lot to get to. A lot of Kenneth Murray with the starting lineup In many of the clips coming from Oxnard, California, free agent signing Kenneth Murray keeps popping up with the first-team defense. He certainly looks like a potential starter at linebacker, where Jack Sanborn and Marist Liufau are also competing for starting roles. Though Sanborn has been talked about as the middle linebacker, Brian Schottenheimer said Murray has also worn the green dot denoting a player with comms with the coaching staff. "What I’m finding, now that I’m getting to know (Murray. . .) is the leadership he possesses," Schottenheimer said Wednesday. "He’s a grown-ass man out there. He takes charge. He makes a lot of the checks, he’s very smart, and he’s wearing the green dot for us in a lot of the things we’re doing." Brian Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players from practice Safety Markquese Bell, cornerback Troy Pride, and tight end Tyler Neville got into a scrap early during team periods, and the Cowboys head coach took the opportunity to send a message to his players. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, "Brian Schottenheimer called the team together and read them the riot act, threatening to kick player out of practice with the next fight." In the clip below from Nick Harris (Forth Worth Star-Telegram), Schottenheimer is heard saying: "I don't know what happened, I don't give a (expletive)." George Pickens' injury scare George Pickens went down as he attempted to catch a target during practice. Reports from Oxnard indicated it was a cramp. Fortunately, Pickens appeared fine after practice as he finished the day on the catching machines and jogged off the field. Joe Milton's 'touch pass' to Brevyn Spann-Ford Everyone knows about Joe Milton's bazooka arm but what to stay around the NFL for a long while, he'll have to show better accuracy and touch than what he showed with the Tennessee Vols. Though he needs to do it many more times, one play turned heads at camp: A play-action shot to TE Brevyn Spann-Ford that flew over linebacker Buddy Johnson. Later in practice, Milton fired a deep shot that missed WR Jonathan Mingo. The arm talent is there—and it's one of the best in the league—he just needs the touch to come consistently.
Tony Marinaro: In the best-case scenario, a 40-goal season for Laine is possible
Patrik Laine scored 20 goals in his first season with the Canadiens.Actually… I’ll start my sentence again. Patrik Laine scored 20 goals in his first season with the Canadiens, playing just 52 games. By not having a regular line-up. With an injury-plagued knee. And yet, he helped the Habs earn their ticket to the spring dance. With better support and health, he might have been able to put in even more. And that’s what Tony Marinaro said on the latest episode of his Sick Podcast. Without saying he sees Laine scoring 40 goals next season… Marinaro seems to think there’s a world in which the Finn can score 40. The stars have to align: Laine needs to arrive at camp fit, he needs to stay healthy… and he needs to take advantage of the talent of Ivan Demidov – and Kirby Dach, if it works out – to produce even more. [content-ads] Do I believe it? Not necessarily. Because there’s one thing I’m not sure about: Laine might not play on the top-6 if Zachary Bolduc explodes, and Laine might lose his spot on the 1st wave of the powerplay with the emergence of a guy like Demidov. That said, we know the big sniper has the shot and the skills to pull off a feat like this. If that happens, the Habs could have two excellent scorers in Caufield and Laine… and Tony Marinaro makes a good point of mentioning it: if these two guys are able to fill the net, the Canadiens are going to have a wicked good chance of making the playoffs.Especially in the context that the Canadiens are the only club in their division to actually be better – on paper – than they were last season. I can’t wait to see how Laine performs, because he’ll have to work hard to be an important player in Montreal next season. But then again: if the stars align… anything’s possible, considering the talent in Montreal right now. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – Oh yeah? – I agree. – Rightly so. – Seen the same.
Tyrann Mathieu retirement highlights compelling Hall of Fame case
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
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