Mike Trout steps up training as Angels look toward next-week return

The Angels’ best-known presence at the heart of their lineup took another step toward a return this week. Before Friday’s series opener against the Red Sox, Mike Trout went through his pregame routine and worked at about 85 percent intensity, according to an MLB update from the team. The session was notable not just for the activity itself, but for how it fit into a longer timeline Trout has been targeting as his right hamstring strain rehab continues.

Trout has been sidelined since June 17 with the hamstring issue, and his progression has been framed by the Angels around a window that could align with the next phase of the schedule. MLB reported that Trout is aiming to come back at some point during the team’s road trip next week. If that plan stays on track, it would also place him in time for baseball’s midseason showcase in Philadelphia, with the All-Star Game scheduled for July 14.

Beyond the broader competitive picture for the Angels, the All-Star timing carries extra personal weight for Trout. MLB noted that he spoke about the meaning of playing in the hometown event, describing it as being close to his background in Millville, New Jersey. Trout’s history with the Midsummer Classic is substantial, and the team’s update referenced his resume as a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, underscoring why his availability matters both on the field and in the spotlight of the event.

Trout’s return plans are also connected to how the Angels will shape their roster in his absence. With a player of Trout’s stature missing time since mid-June, the club has had to manage lineup continuity and defensive alignment without their centerpiece. A return on the road trip would affect day-to-day decisions about the outfield mix and provide a stabilizing presence in the batting order, particularly as the calendar moves deeper into the season and roster roles become more entrenched.

For now, the development to watch is whether the increase to near full intensity during workouts translates into consistent game-readiness. The team update did not describe any setback or change in the hamstring timeline, but it also did not guarantee the timing of Trout’s next appearance. With a hamstring strain, the difference between “available soon” and “available for multiple games” is often about how the body responds once it faces repeated sprinting and stopping in real game conditions.

If Trout does return during the coming road stretch, it would set up a rapid transition from rehab to high-leverage baseball, including the possibility of joining what could be a star-studded All-Star weekend. MLB also indicated that Trout is expected to be elected an All-Star starter in the outfield when rosters are announced. The next checkpoint, then, is twofold: whether he stays on schedule for the road trip and whether his recovery is robust enough to carry him through the lead-in to the July event.