Mike Trout is back to work.
The Millville Meteor was activated from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday after missing eight weeks with a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
Trout was in the starting lineup, batting second and playing center field for the Los Angeles Angels for Tuesday’s home game against Cincinnati.
Trout, 32, is hitting .263 with 18 homers and 44 RBIs in 81 games this season.
The activation is huge news for Trout fans as the superstar gets ready for a homecoming. The Angels travel to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for a three-game series starting on Aug. 28. Tickets are still available for all three games – Monday and Tuesday are at 6:40 p.m. and Wednesday’s game is slated for 1:05 p.m.
How has Mike Trout fared in Philadelphia?
While Trout has made plenty of trips to the City of Brotherly Love to attend Phillies and Eagles games (he’s a Birds season-ticket holder, you know), Trout hasn’t fared well in his two previous trips to Citizens Bank Park as a player.
Trout had played five games at CBP during two trips. In 2014, he went 2-for-9 with a triple and a stolen base. Eight years later, Trout went hitless (0-for-11) with one walk.
And like Trout’s two previous performances in Philly, the people of Millville are expected to turn out in droves to see their favorite son.
Trout still banged up
The three-time American League Most Valuable Player is still experiencing some pain in his left hand, according to reports, but wants to help the Angels in a quest to earn an elusive postseason berth.
Trout hopes to rescue a team, which is quickly falling out of playoff contention. The Angels entered Tuesday’s game at 61-64 in fourth place in the AL West, 11 games back of Texas, and nine game back in the Wild Card race.
Trout has played in just one postseason series. In 2014, he batted .083 (1-for-12) with three walks and two strikeouts as the Angels were swept by Kansas City in three games in the ALDS.
