Angels’ Mike Trout removed from rehab game with knee soreness

The three-time AL MVP is pulled just two innings into the first game of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday night. The Angels say he is day to day.

SEATTLE — The Angels’ plan for Mike Trout got more murky after Trout was pulled with left knee soreness just two innings into the first game of his rehab assignment on Tuesday night at Triple-A Salt Lake. The Angels announced that he was day to day.

After the Angels’ 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, Manager Ron Washington said Trout would remain in Salt Lake and continue to be evaluated on a daily basis. There’s no timeframe for him to be activated.

“He won’t be coming back to L.A. till he’s ready,” Washington said.

Trout started in center field and handled three routine fly balls. He struck out looking in his only plate appearance.

The three-time American League MVP had been scheduled for five innings in center field on Tuesday, followed by a DH game on Wednesday and seven innings in center field on Thursday.

Washington conceded before Tuesday’s game that all of that was subject to change, though. Trout, who spoke to reporters in Salt Lake City before the game, said that he wasn’t sure how many games he would need.

“Take it one game at a time,” Trout said. “See how I am. See how I recover from playing tonight, and go from there.”

Trout has been out since early May after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Trout, 32, has been ravaged by injury in recent years, playing in less than 50% of the Angels’ games from 2021 to 2023 because of ailments to his right calf, upper back and left hand.

He had an .867 OPS with 10 home runs through his first 29 games of this season before suffering his latest injury.