Mike Trout Batting Second, Manning Centerfield For Salt Lake Bees
Jul 23, 2024, 4:59 PM
Mike Trout hits at Smith's Ballpark during the 2012 season.
SALT LAKE CITY – Hollywood has come to Salt Lake City with three-time MVP Mike Trout hitting second behind internet sensation Cole Tucker in the leadoff spot. The three-time American League MVP Mike Trout will start in centerfield as he begins a rehab assignment for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Salt Lake Bees host the San Diego Padres Triple-A affiliate, El Paso Chihuahuas, at Smith’s Ballpark July 23-28. First pitch on Tuesday night is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. MT.
“It brings back a lot of good memories,” Trout said when asked about his return to SLC and Smith’s Ballpark. “Coming back, obviously, this isn’t where I want to be, but I’m living it up. I’m here now, so I’ve gotta get the work in and enjoy it.”
RELATED: 3x AL MVP Mike Trout To Continue Rehab With Salt Lake Bees
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Trout looks to return to 100 percent after his superstar career has been derailed by injuries in recent seasons. The misfortune began in 2021 when a calf strain limited him to 36 games. The bad news continued in 2022 when back inflammation caused by “costovertebral dysfunction” forced him to miss 35 days. Last season, a broken hamate bone in his left hand cost Trout the final three months of his season. He played one game after going on the IL on July 3.
Angels center fielder Mike Trout is scheduled to make his return to the diamond with the Salt Lake Bees on his rehab assignment before returning to the Angels to finish out the second half of the season strong. pic.twitter.com/XY7u3KMgaR
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) July 23, 2024
Bees manager Keith Johnson talked about gradually getting Trout healthy and back in the big leagues.
“It’s just a process of trying to make sure everything is feeling good. Just being out there playing defense, the standing around, the stuff that you can’t simulate. You can simulate base running; you can simulate hitting. Sitting out there between innings, playing every pitch, and reacting to foul balls, you can’t necessarily simulate that. So just getting him out there and seeing how his legs respond. Get his sea legs back under him, and we’ll go from there.”
.@Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout is starting in centerfield and batting second for the @SaltLakeBees 🐝#SLBees pic.twitter.com/xh80vxmGet
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 23, 2024
The superstar outfielder focused on getting his body right for the stretch run with Los Angeles this season.
“I have a routine to get fired up for the game. Just being able to recover after is the biggest hurdle. No worries though, I feel fine.”
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