After undergoing surgery last month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is learning to be patient with his recovery.

“It’s getting there, obviously slower than I thought, but it’s my first time with a knee injury,” Trout told reporters on Tuesday. “Just gotta trust the process and take it day by day.”

Mike Trout (meniscus) gave health update today, said recovery is going slower than anticipated and hopes to begin running soon, has been using treadmill and stationary bike pic.twitter.com/nXB9YlIPeS

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) June 18, 2024

 

While Trout’s recovery is taking longer than he expected, he added an update that surely won’t make Angels fans happy. The three-time AL MVP said he still doesn’t have a timeline for his return and hasn’t even started running yet.

Trout, 32, was one of the best players of his generation when healthy, but he hasn’t been able to stay on the field in recent seasons. This is the fourth straight year that he’s dealt with a serious injury that cost him significant time.

Prior to being sidelined, he was leading the majors with 10 home runs, 14 RBI and six stolen bases. However, his .220 batting average was his lowest since his debut season in 2011 when he appeared in 40 games for the Angels.

Without its star slugger in the lineup, Los Angeles has struggled to keep pace in the AL West, ranking fourth with a 29-43 record. The Angels have missed the playoffs in nine straight seasons and haven’t finished with a winning record since 2015. Unless things turn around quickly, the team appears to be on its way to a 10th straight year without a postseason appearance.

The Angels will go after their second win in a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.