The Angels don’t want to go 10 straight years without a playoff appearance.
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is entering his 13th season with the Halos and is planning to play without limitations.
The 32-year-old has missed significant time over the past three seasons due to injuries. Of the Angels’ 486 games in that stretch, he has appeared in 237 — less than half.
Trout joined Trent Rush on the Angels Recap Podcast this week to discuss his plan to stay healthy this season.
“I had some conversations with Wash (manager Ron Washington) and Perry (general manager Perry Minasian). Looking at the past, I think coming into spring, the biggest thing was like, ‘How are we going to figure out what’s the formula for keeping you on the field?’ It’s a tough formula to figure out. Obviously, it’s not working.
“I think me worrying about what I need to be doing to stay on the field – why don’t I just go out there and play, man? Let me just do my thing and whatever happens, happens.
— Mike Trout via the Angels Recap Podcast
With Trout looking to play more freely this season, he did say that he would take a day off here and there for extra rest.
“I’m not saying I’m going to steal 40 bags again but I might get 20. Just go out there and play free. Play my game. That’s what I’m going to try to focus on this year coming into spring, and enjoy it. In the past four years I’ve been banged up a little bit. And I think a change of mindset: just go out there and play, whatever happens, it is what it is. That’s where I’m at.”
Mike Trout via Angels Recap Podcast
Trout and the Angels are looking to snap a nine-year playoff drought as they embark on their first season without Shohei Ohtani in six years.
It would be incredible to see Trout make the playoffs for a second time. His first, and only, series was against the Kansas City Royals in 2014. He went 1-for-12. The Angels lost in a three-game sweep.
