Angels' Mike Trout to sit out 2022 All-Star Game

Jul 9, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) runs the bases during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Angels star Mike Trout to sit out 2022 All-Star Game with back spasms

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/17/22

On Tuesday, American and National League stars will take the field at Dodgers Stadium for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game. One of the league's best won't be suiting up.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Los Angeles Angels three-time MVP Mike Trout will sit out this year's All-Star Game as he continues to nurse back spasms.

Mike Trout will not play in the All-Star Game, and will be replaced by #Twins CF Byron Buxton in the starting lineup.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2022

Trout has missed the last four games with spasms in his upper back. The Angels expected Trout to return on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he was a late scratch from the lineup.

The #Angels have scratched Mike Trout from the lineup because of upper back spasms.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 17, 2022

Trout is batting .270/.368/.599 with 24 home runs and 51 RBI in 79 games this season for the Angels.

The 10-time All-Star struggled before suffering the injury. Over Trout's last 10 games, he batted just .167/.231/.250 with only six hits in 39 plate appearances.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton will get the start in center on Tuesday night in place of Trout.

Buxton, 28, was elected to his first All-Star Game in his eight-year career. He's having a career year with the Twins, batting .218/.295/.535 with 23 home runs and 43 RBI in 72 games.

Ty France is headed to the #AllStarGame!

He replaces Mike Trout on the AL roster. OF Byron Buxton has been moved into the starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/CNyiaM4FZM
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2022

Seattle Mariners infielder Ty France takes Trout's place on the All-Star roster. Many considered France one of the biggest All-Star snubs when rosters were released. France himself thought he was worthy of an All-Star nod.

"I don't know. I still have not really processed it. But it is what it is," France told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer after initially being left off the all-star game roster. "There are a lot of really good players out there, and not to take anything away from any of them, but I definitely thought I played my way in."

France, 28, is batting .306/.376/.461 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in 78 games for the Mariners this season.

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