In July Mike Trout batted .392 (38-for-97) with 23 RBIs, 32 runs scored and nine stolen bases. In 25 games played he had 18 extra base hits including six doubles, two triples and ten home runs. Not much to worry about there, even for a cranky old Angel fan like myself. But of course I found something: the Angels played 26 games in the month and the game Trout missed was due to injury, a knee contusion he got running into the wall trying to save a home run. The game he missed was against the Rays and of course the Angels lost; what scared me even more was that Trumbo missed the next game against Texas with a rib-cage muscle injury on his right side. Trumbo is not the same although Trout seems undaunted, flying all over the outfield, walls be damned, as it suits him. It frightens me to think where the Angels would be this year without Trout and Trumbo, and if they are too banged up forget the playoffs.
The T &T shoulders are not the ones the season was supposed to depend on.
The game Trout missed was the only game he hasn’t played in since April 28, the day he was called up. Trumbo has played more games than I expected, given the 3rd base misfire, but numbers only 99 out of 109 games as of this writing. Of course even Scioscia can’t play a veteran over Trumbo’s bat when he’s healthy. But is Trumbo healthy? Playing through a slump or having faith in a veteran is one thing, Pujols has played in 107 of 109 games and that’s worked out well, but putting a player that can’t perform out on the field is another.
Maybe Trumbo should be sat down. He has struck out 15 times in the last 10 games while going 7 for 37. Even I can see he’s not the same. I’m sure if the Angels weren’t on the cusp of the playoffs, if the team had succeeded as they should have, he would be getting more rest. Scioscia is known for getting most of the players on the roster into the lineup so it’s not a philosophical issue. I fear it’s a desperation issue. An injured Trumbo is worth more at bat than Wells or Bourjos. That’s a nice compliment for Mark but a sad reflection on the state of affairs.
I think a week or even two off could make Trumbo healthier, although his pulled rib muscle (or whatever the injury to his ribs actually is since at one point it was reported as a dislocated rib) maybe something that will be there for the rest of the season regardless. I’m sure, given their track record, the Angels trainers are right on top of the issue. Watching Trumbo’s sudden pull tendency makes me think he can’t get full extension, his hands remain close to his body.
It pains me to say this, may be time for a gamble on Wells. Sit Trumbo, play Wells every day and hope for the best.
Photo courtesy of Daylife.com
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