Mike Trout Hits 5 HRs in Angels-Yankees Split

Mike Trout powered the Los Angeles Angels with five home runs during a four-game series split against the New York Yankees this week, signaling a potent return to form for the veteran outfielder early in the 2024 season. The 34-year-old slugger, who entered the series batting .232, has already launched seven homers in 22 games, boosting his on-base plus slugging percentage above .800 and evoking memories of his dominant years.

Trout's early surge comes amid a career marked by injury setbacks that have limited his playing time. Six seasons after his third MVP award in 2019, he last posted an elite full season in 2022 with 40 home runs. Last year marked only his second campaign since 2019 with more than 82 games played, yet he finished with a sub-.800 OPS. This April mirrors past patterns: In 2023, he hit nine homers before a knee injury sidelined him in May; the prior year, another nine-homer month ended with a torn meniscus that wiped out the rest of his season. Despite these hurdles, Trout arrived at spring training optimistic about shifting back to center field from right field or designated hitter roles, believing it would ease physical strain. Under new manager Kurt Suzuki,...