ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who has won three MVP awards, will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus, general manager Perry Minasian announced Tuesday.

Trout tore his left miniscus during the Angels’ 6-5 victory over the Phillies, a game where Trout finished with a stolen base and a run scored.

”There wasn’t one time or one specific moment where it was hurting to bat,” Trout said. 

Trout, holding back tears, said he felt “a little bit of an ache” in his knee when running into the dugout following the third inning against Philadelphia, but he didn’t think it was anything serious until his pain carried through the night.

“When I woke up this morning,” Trout said, “it was tough to get out of bed.”

Minasian said Trout does not have a date for surgery and there is not a timetable for a return. He could be sidelined 4-6 weeks in a best case scenario, according to Colombia University’s Irving Medical Center.

After having his 2021 and 2023 seasons cut short because of injuries, Trout will again need to rehab an injury in the middle of the season.

”It’s tough, obviously. It hurts right now,” Trout said. “I’ve got to get back, crush the rehab and support my teammates.”

Shortly after the announcement, the Angels said they have signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year deal, less than an hour before first-pitch against the Phillies Tuesday evening.

Pillar joins the Angels after being designated for assignment by the White Sox and clearing waivers earlier this week. He was hitting .160 in 17 games this season.

”Nobody’s going to replace Mike Trout,” Minasian said. “No one is asking any individual player to replace that type of All-Star caliber talent.” 

Angels manager Ron Washington said he knows the impact the loss of a player like Trout can have on a team.

”But the thing about baseball is, if there’s a game on the schedule, you have to play it,” Washington said. “You have to put nine guys on the field so we’ll put nine guys on the field and some guys will get the opportunity that they’ve been craving.

”The thing about today, there’s going to be tomorrow. Whether we’re here or not, there will always be a tomorrow.”  

Mickey Moniak is one of the guys likely craving an opportunity, but Washington wouldn’t guarantee him the role of everyday center fielder.

“He’s going to get plenty of time out there, but to say everyday?” Washington said. “I’m not saying every day, but he will get a lot of playing time.

“You never know. Rengifo might go out there. I know [Minasian] is going to do something to help us bring some people in here.”

Washington added that other than Moniak and Rengifo, Jo Adell could also spend time in center.

“It’s always hard when you’re missing Mike Trout,” Washington said. “We’ve got to play baseball and we’re going to play baseball with what we have right now until [Trout] returns.”

Roster Moves

Along with the addition of Pillar, left-hander Amir Garrett was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake, adding depth to the bullpen.

Michael Stefanie and Chase Silseth were both transferred to the 60-day IL and right-hander Davis Daniel was optioned to Salt Lake.