One thing the Los Angeles Angels have sorely missed for a large chunk of the season is productive bats next to Shohei Ohtani in the lineup. It was supposed to be superstar Mike Trout, arguably the best player in the sport, and Anthony Rendon. Both have missed large segments of the year due to injury for the Angels.
For Trout, he hasn't suited up for the Angles since May 17 when he came up limping after suffering a calf strain. He was expected to miss six to eight weeks. It's now been 11 weeks since he's played and per ESPN and LA's manager Joe Maddon, a return to the field doesn't sound like it's coming anytime soon.
“Obviously, the timeline keeps getting pushed back,” Maddon said. “We all thought that he'd be playing right around now at the worst, and it's not happening. We'll keep playing it all the way through…He's working really hard. He wants to get back, so we have not had a discussion of just giving up on him,” Maddon said.
The Angels' star isn't used to being on the shelf as he has been as durable as they come in MLB throughout his career. With him out of the lineup, the Angels' roster takes on a way different dynamic even with Ohtani playing at an MVP level. The idea of Trout, Ohtani and Rendon in the same lineup healthy would terrify opposing pitching but it's seldom been the case this year for the Angels.
The Angels have faded out of the playoff picture but still hope to get Trout back at some point this season.