Mike Trout rejoined the Los Angeles Angels lineup for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves after missing one game due to a contusion on his left hand. The injury occurred when he was hit by a 94.2 mph fastball from Seattle Mariners reliever Casey Legumina on Sunday. X-rays were negative, and swelling had subsided enough for his return.
ANAHEIM -- Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, suffered the contusion during Sunday's game against the Mariners. His hand swelled significantly, forcing him to cut off his batting glove with scissors. He sat out Monday's series opener versus the Braves, with Bryce Teodosio starting in center field and Jorge Soler batting second in Trout's spot. The timing of his return coincided with a giveaway of Trout's 400th home run bobbleheads to the first 25,000 fans, though he insisted it was due to reduced pain after swings on Monday and Tuesday. “I took some dry swings yesterday and I really didn't have too much pain, and I took some swings today and no sharp pain,” Trout said. “It was just still swollen [Monday]. The grip strength was there. Just get the swelling down. But it’s a big relief after what it looked like when it happened.” Manager Kurt Suzuki noted Trout was available off the bench Monday and expressed surprise at the quick recovery. “It's nice to see him back in there,” Suzuki said. “If Mike tells you he wants to go in, you put him in.” Trout called it dodging a bullet: “We’re all good.” This marked the second time in the Mariners series Trout was hit by a pitch, the first on Friday by starter Bryan Woo. Entering Tuesday, Trout was hitting .212/.435/.424 with two homers, a double, three RBIs and 11 walks in 10 games.
