All-Star Mike Trout rejoins Angels after 17-game absence

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Los Angeles Angels activated center fielder Mike Trout from the injured list Wednesday, just in time for the All-Star Game in his beloved Philadelphia.

Trout sat out 17 games because of a strained right hamstring suffered while running the bases in a game on June 17. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki had Trout batting second as the designated hitter against the Texas Rangers.

"We're going to obviously see how he feels,"Suzuki said before the game about his willingness to send Trout back in the field. "Maybe in the beginning, I take it out of his hands. Not really sure how I'm going to handle it yet, but he is ready to go."

Trout, who grew up 40 miles from Philadelphia in Millville, New Jersey, was elected by fan voting as a starter for the American League team at the All-Star Game next week at Citizens Bank Park.

The 12-time All-Star has not been able to participate in the showcase event since 2019, having been sidelined by injury after his selections from 2021 to 2023. Trout, a three-time AL MVP and two-time All-Star Game MVP, has enjoyed a bounce-back season with a team-leading .866 OPS with 17 homers and 36 RBIs in 74 games.

The Angels designated infielder Donovan Walton for assignment to make room on the roster.