Angels Star Mike Trout Out For 6-8 Weeks

With Mike Trout going on the disabled list for 6-8 weeks the Angels' chances of making the playoffs this season are dim. The 25-year-old outfielder has been American League MVP twice, including last season and runnerup three times in his five major league years. This season he was hitting .337 and led the American League in walks. Trout suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb on a stolen base attempt Sunday against the Miami Marlins. He had a choice of how to deal with the injury and elected to undergo surgery. The Angels were 26-28 when Trout was injured and now would seem to have little chance of catching the Houston Astros in their division. The Astros had a 10-game division lead going into Monday's play. That night they erased an 8-2 defect in the eighth inning by scoring 11 runs, then three more in the ninth to defeat the Minnesota Twins.

Angels general manager Billy Epler said "multiple players will have to step in during Trout's absence."Last season Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons suffered a similar injury but returned to play in five weeks. But Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper had the same ijury and didn't return for eight weeks. However, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Trout made the right decision. Trout is only 25 and is going on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Angel fans will now concentrate on the heroics of veteran first baseman Albert Pujols who hit the 598th career home run in Monday's 6-3 loss to Atlanta and the 50th the next night