After injuries shortened Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout in 2023, look for Trout to come out extra motivated in 2024.
In July 2023, Trout fractured the left hamate bone from a foul pitch that kept him out until late August. However, he quickly returned to the Angels injury list due to lingering pain from the injury. Trout would miss the rest of the season.
Now that Trout is back healthy, he will be ready for a full season ahead. Even coming off of an injury-plagued season, it would not be surprising to see Trout put in a big season in 2024. Not only is Trout an eleven-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP, but he’s one of the hardest-working players in the sport.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian told Noah Camras of Halos Today how Trout’s love of baseball and desire to win continue to fuel him.
“Mike loves the game of baseball. He wakes up thinking about it, goes to bed thinking about it. He’s really motivated to win. He’s really motivated to stay on the field, to have a big year and to help our young guys improve.”
— Perry Minasian.
Not only does Trout want to put in another strong season, but he’s looking to help the Angels win more and ultimately help them win a World Series title. Despite rumors that he could be traded, Trout maintained his goals are still to bring a championship back with the Angels.
Trout and the Angels have made the playoffs just once in his career, in 2014. While on paper, the Angels look to have a long way to go to reach these aspirations, it does not hurt to have as loyal and helpful a player as Trout.
Trout is expected to begin his 2024 campaign Saturday in the Angels’ first Cactus League game of the year against the Los Angeles Dodgers.