Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is slated to being a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday as he nears his return to the majors after a knee injury sustained on April 29.
Trout is expected to return to the Angels later this week, possibly as soon as Thursday against Oakland. Trout underwent surgery to repair meniscus damage in his left knee.
“He’s biting at the bit to get here,” Angels manager Ron Washington told reporters. “But he has to go play in the outfield. He did a lot of work in the outfield, doing a lot of things he would have to do at game time. But you can’t recognize if it’s effective until you go through real games.
“We are waiting for him to react in game conditions. As soon as he’s ready, we’re going to have our arms wide open to welcome him back.”
Trout, a three-time American League MVP, traveled to the Angels’ spring-training complex in Arizona on Saturday. He has been facing live pitching to prepare for playing in Salt Lake City.
Trout, an 11-time All-Star, was batting .220 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs in 29 games this season. He was unable to figure out how he hurt the knee.
Once Trout is back with the Angels, he’ll see some of his playing time as designated hitter in addition to his customary center field.
“It’s going to be a huge boost,” Washington said. “I know he might have a little problem trying to get his offense where he wants it. But his presence for us is more important than his performance. So we’re going to be very happy to have his presence, because he’s one of those guys that can make everybody else better just by being there.”
Trout’s visit to Salt Lake City will have some familiarity. He played 20 games for the Salt Lake Bees in 2012 before his promotion to the majors. He batted .403 with one homer and 13 RBIs in 77 at-bats with the Bees and then went on to win American League Rookie of the Year honors with the Angels.