KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mike Trout appreciated all the support he received Wednesday after the Los Angeles Angels’ head coach revealed the three-time AL MVP has a “rare” spinal condition that could affect him for the rest of his career .
Even if Trout thought it was all over the top.
“I think what he meant was that I have to keep up the routine that I do every day to keep it from happening again,” Trout said after watching his Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 to get their first win in the series for nearly a month.
“I appreciate all the prayer requests,” he added, “but my career is not over.”
The 10-time All-Star left a game against Houston on July 12 with what was first called back spasms, then went on the injured list a week later with what was called chest inflammation.
On Wednesday, Angels coach Mike Forstad revealed it’s a rare spinal condition, saying it’s something Trout “has to deal with not just for the rest of the season.”
“I came back and my phone rang, ‘My career is over,'” Trout said, smiling at the absurdity of the overreaction he’s seen online. “It’s just rare for a baseball player. I just have to stay on top of things.”
Trout was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins III, a back specialist and co-director of the Marina Spine Clinic in Los Angeles, and received a cortisone injection last week, which has already begun to produce results.
He has a follow-up visit next week and “we’ll go from there,” he said, though he has every intention of returning this year.
“Sure,” he said. “That’s my goal.”
The Angels have not had discussions about closing it.
“I don’t think we’re at a point where we’re going to make that decision,” Frostad said. “He’ll have follow-ups here once we get back and we’ll just see what the doctor thinks at this point.”
Trout, the second-highest paid player in the game at $37.1 million, enjoyed a good rebounding season after a calf injury limited him to just 36 games last season. He was hitting .270 with 24 homers and 51 RBI in 79 games, a rare bright spot in a dismal season for the Angels.
“He was a great teammate,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said. “He’s been a striker, helping his team-mate – he’s obviously a good tool for a lot of young players. For them to have him here and know he’s got their back is huge, I’m sure for some of the younger guys.”
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