ANAHEIM — Just when Mike Trout started hitting again, he got hurt again.
The Angels’ three-time American League MVP homered in his first at-bat and then doubled in his second on Tuesday night, but after he doubled he came out of the game with left groin tightness.
There was no immediate word on how much time, if any, he might miss.
It is certainly a troubling development for a team trying to snap a 12-game losing streak, with much of the losing streak coming amid a career-worst slump for Trout. He snapped an 0-for-26 slump with a single on Monday night.
He had his best swings in more than a week against Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock on Tuesday, blasting a two-run homer in the first inning. In the third, he drilled a line drive into right-center field.
Trout did not seem to be running full speed as he cruised into second. A few pitches later, head athletic trainer Mike Frostad and new interim manager Phil Nevin came out to check on Trout, and they removed him from the game.
Trout missed almost all of last season with a strained calf, so he committed himself to a new training regimen this year. Trout said he was doing more stretching and other exercises to help prevent similar soft tissue injuries.
Until Tuesday, the only games he missed were when he was sick and when he was hit in the hand by a pitch.
NOTES
The Angels optioned Chase Silseth back to Double-A to create a roster spot for José Suarez. A few days ago Maddon said that Silseth would remain in the rotation, despite his recent troubles, but now he will need to be in the minors for at least 15 days. …
Related Articles
Alexander: Was the Angels firing Joe Maddon too hasty a decision?
Angels fire Manager Joe Maddon amid 12-game losing streak
Angels’ bats go silent in 12th consecutive loss
Angels return home to extra work, positive reinforcement
Angels blow late leads, extend losing streak to 11 games
Shohei Ohtani’s next start on the mound will be on Thursday. The pitching matchups for this weekend haven’t been announced, but the Angels could start Michael Lorenzen, Patrick Sandoval and Noah Syndergaard against the New York Mets. The Sunday game, which could be Syndergaard’s turn, is ESPN’s national Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. …
Infielder David Fletcher (hip surgery) began taking some dry swings this week. Fletcher has also done some throwing. He is hoping to be activated before the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 2-2, 4.20) vs. Red Sox (RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 3-2, 3.41), Wednesday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM