ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Trout provided a medical update prior to Tuesday's game against the Brewers. Trout, 32, who suffered a meniscus tear in late April that required surgery said the recovery process has been going slower than he previously expected.
Though in good spirits, Trout has not progressed towards baseball activities, but believes he is progressing on the right track to a return. Though he cannot run at full pace currently, he is jogging and riding an elliptical bike on the side.
"Just trying to get the strength back," Trout said. "I kind of felt like the last week has been a turning point where I can start ramping it up and see how it feels."
For Trout, part of the recovery process is moving past the immediate recovery that has brought on pain, while finding less painful recovery methods that would not cause setbacks.
"It's just trying to find exercises that doesn't make (the meniscus) ache the next day or irritate it," Trout said. "Certain things get you achy and sore the next day... Just trying to progress as fast as I can."
Standard recovery from a meniscus tear to full recovery takes anywhere from three-to-six months, according to Columbia Doctors. Trout is now two months into the recovery process.
Prior to the injury, Trout had a 139 OPS+ with 10 home runs in 29 games.
Jose Soriano dealing with infection
Jose Soriano was scratched from his projected start on Monday with lower abdominal pain. Ron Washington confirmed on Tuesday that Soriano was dealing with an infection, and is listed as day-to-day.
Soriano, 25, is currently one of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in the league with a 98.9 mph average fastball. He is 4-5 with 3.48 ERA in 72 1/2 innings this season, and is coming off the best start of his career where he worked into the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks where he allowed two runs in the final frame.
Musical connection to Angels and Ron Washington
Ron Washington shared a story with Bally Sports West reporter, Erica Weston, about a song that was written about him. During his time with the Texas Rangers in 2011, Rangers owner Bob R. Simpson reached out to Country Music Hall-of-Famer and legend, Merle Haggard, to record a song about Washington.
Haggard modified an original hit from 1983, "That's the Way Loves Goes," and altered the lyrics to create an ode to Washington called, "That's the Way Baseball Goes."
Variations found via YouTube and Spotify were played during batting practice, but Washington said none of the clips were the original song which had a stronger back beat. He is planning on bringing a CD to Weston in the coming days with the original song.
Yellowcard violinist to perform national anthem
Sean Mackin, violinist for the band Yellowcard, will perform the national anthem at Angel Stadium on Tuesday. During sound check, he spoke with local reporters about his ties to Angel Stadium. Yellowcard, an alternative punk rock band who had radio success from the early-to-mid 2000's, had members of the band move to Southern California from Jacksonville, Florida in the early 21st century. Sometime around 2005 or 2006, Mackin took his current wife (who he was dating at the time) and sat about seven rows behind home plate for their third date. It was the first time his wife, Cat, told Sean that she loved him.
Mackin is a dedicated baseball fan, who will have his wife, children, and friends attending Tuesday's game.
Yellowcard is touring with fellow rock band, Third Eye Blind, over the summer and will play at The Greek on Thursday night.
