Trout done for season with 2nd torn meniscus

Mike Trout's 2024 season is officially over.

The Los Angeles Angels superstar had yet another campaign snuffed out by injury Thursday, when it was announced that he suffered a second torn meniscus in his left knee.

Trout hasn't played since his original meniscus injury in late April. The surgery he underwent to repair that tear wasn't supposed to be season-ending.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian described Trout as being "devastated" by the setback, but he expects the three-time AL MVP to return fully healthy in 2025.

"He's gonna come back next year, win the MVP, (and) hit 70 home runs," Minasian said, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

Trout started a rehab assignment in Triple-A last week but left his first game after two innings due to soreness in his surgically repaired left knee. He underwent an MRI afterward, which came back clean. Trout elected for a second MRI, which revealed the new tear, after experiencing more pain Monday, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic.

The news marks yet another frustrating ending to a season for Trout, who has been slowed by a myriad of injuries over the last several seasons. Thanks to calf, back, wrist, and now knee problems, he's played in just 266 games since 2021 and only 453 contests since inking a 12-year, $426.5-million extension with the Halos in 2019.

The 32-year-old was just heating up at the time of his first meniscus tear. He finishes 2024 having hit .220/.325/.541 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs over 29 games. Trout led the majors in home runs at the time of his injury.

In May, Trout said he chose surgery to fix the tear over playing the rest of the season as a designated hitter.

The Angels have once again slumped on the field without their superstar, entering Thursday with a 47-61 record. They're on pace to post a losing record for the ninth straight season and haven't made the playoffs since 2014.