Los Angeles Angels' star outfielder, Mike Trout, encountered a setback in his recovery process as he was forced to exit his first minor league rehab game on Tuesday night due to soreness in his surgically repaired left knee. The Angels made the announcement, leaving fans concerned about the timetable for his return.

Trout, who started in center field for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, had a disappointing outing, striking out looking in his sole at-bat. Despite this, he remained on the field, taking time to sign autographs for eager fans. However, his early departure raised concerns among spectators and team officials.

Speaking after the Angels' 5-1 victory against the Seattle Mariners, manager Ron Washington addressed the situation and revealed that Trout will stay in Salt Lake City for further evaluation on Wednesday. The extent of his knee soreness and the impact on his return to the major league remain uncertain.

The 32-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since April 29, when he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required surgery just four days later. Prior to the injury, Trout was on the verge of making his highly anticipated return to the big leagues.

Manager Ron Washington had previously outlined a plan for Trout's gradual comeback, with Tuesday's game marking a crucial milestone in his recovery process. The initial plan was for Trout to play five innings in the field, serve as the designated hitter on Wednesday, and increase his playing time to seven innings on Thursday. Following that, a decision on activating him off the injured list would be made.

Regarded as a generational talent, Trout has consistently been a top performer in the American League, finishing within the top two in MVP voting on seven occasions between 2012 and 2019. However, his recent years have been marred by a string of injuries. In the 2021 to 2023 seasons, Trout was limited to playing in less than 50% of the Angels' games due to various ailments such as his right calf, upper back, and left hand.

Before his latest setback, Trout had shown promising form in the 2024 season, hitting 10 home runs and achieving an impressive .867 OPS in the 29 games he played.

With his knee soreness hindering his progress, the Angels and Trout's fans await further updates regarding the severity of the injury and a revised timeline for his comeback. The team remains hopeful that Trout's undeniable talent and resilience will allow him to overcome this setback and swiftly return to the field.