Mike Trout

He's been out since mid-July with what the Angels trainer called a rare condition that could be a factor for the rest of his career.

After playing in at least 139 games from 2012 to ’16, Trout missed 39 games early in ’17 with a torn UCL in his thumb, placing him on the injured list for the first time in his career. Trout received a cortisone injection last week, the benefits of which Frostad says he is “just starting” to feel. Mike Trout last played for the Angels on July 12, when he left a game against the Astros with what was then diagnosed as back spasms.

KANSAS CITY -- After receiving a cortisone shot to relieve back/left ribcage irritation on July 21, Mike Trout continues to play the waiting game.

"For it to happen to a baseball player ... we have to take into consideration what he puts himself through with hitting, swinging on a daily basis to get prepared and also playing in the outfield. Just have to stay on top of it. But long-term, we do have to look at this as something he has to manage not just through the rest of this season but also through the rest of his career probably." It's just that I've got to stay on top of it. I'm going to see the doctor Sunday. Just a checkup. Angels head trainer Mike Frostad said Wednesday that it could be up to two weeks from the time of the shot before Trout feels its full benefits.

The source of Angels star Mike Trout's back injury is an uncommon condition known as a costovertebral dysfunction. His return to action is unclear.

Trout was in the starting lineup July 16, but right before the first pitch, he was scratched because his back issue flared up again. Shohei Ohtani reached base three times and drove in a run for the Angels, who won their first series since June 27-29 against the White Sox. Trout was first sidelined with back spasms and pulled from a game July 12. And he’s feeling better,” Frostad said. “I appreciate all the prayer requests, but my career isn’t over.” The condition, as sports injuries go, isn’t common.

Mike Trout has costovertebral dysfunction at T5, which could follow him for his career.

To this point in the season, Trout is batting .270/.368/.599 with 24 home runs. And for it to happen in a baseball player, we just have to take into consideration what he puts himself through with hitting, swinging on a daily basis, just getting prepared. And then also playing in the outfield. For what it's worth, Trout seems to believe he'll be back by the end of the season. Trout hasn't played in 100-plus games since 2019, and he's played in 79 last year. Trout, who will be 31 in early August, hasn't played since leaving July 12th when he left the game against the Astros with back spasms.

Los Angeles Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout might have to manage pain from a "rare" back condition for the rest of his career, the team's trainer said ...

“And for it to happen in a baseball player, we just have to take into consideration what he puts himself through with hitting, swinging on a daily basis, just getting prepared. “This is a pretty rare condition that he has right now in his back,” Frostad said. Trout's return this season is unclear as he has received a cortisone shot and might need one more week before he can participate in baseball activities.

Mike Trout's return timeline is up in the air, and the Angels outfielder's back may require monitoring for the rest of his career.

He has begun a core stability program and done cardio work, but the Angels don't have any sort of timetable for his return just yet. Trout has dealt with significant injuries before, most recently missing the last three and a half months of the 2021 campaign due to lingering calf issues. Prior to landing on the shelf, Trout was putting together another strong season.

The sidelined Angels star expressed optimism about his health following a revelation that Trout is suffering from a “rare” spinal condition.

It’s going in the right direction.” “No, I’m not worried about it,” Trout said. “The doctor, who is one of the most well-known spine surgeons in the country, if not the world, doesn’t see a lot of these. “I think we have to have some concern on that,” Frostad said. Trout has seen a back specialist and reportedly received a cortisone injection that has yet to reach its full effect. And I feel really good.”

Mike Trout has been diagnosed with a rare back condition -- a costovertebral dysfunction at T5 -- that is likely to affect him for the rest of his playing ...

I'm happy with it," Trout added. I'm excited with the way it's going. "We do have to look at this as something that...