Mike Trout is back, and Angels fans couldn’t be more fired up! After missing most of last season, the excitement surrounding his return is off the charts—fueled even more by his latest Instagram posts showcasing his road to recovery. The buzz just proves how much the Halos missed their superstar. And honestly, who can blame them? Without Trout, the Angels finished dead last in the AL West.

GM Perry Minasian is counting on Trout’s return to give the lineup a much-needed spark. While the pitching staff, led by Ben Joyce, looks solid, the offense still needs firepower. But can Trout still deliver at his usual elite level?

He started 2024 in beast mode, becoming the fastest player in Angels history to reach six home runs in just 11 games. But just as he was heating up, a torn meniscus forced him off the field indefinitely. Now, as the Angels gear up for a stronger season with bigger payrolls and roster upgrades, Trout’s return could be the X-factor that changes everything.

The latest Instagram post revealed Mike Trout hitting the gym, indicating his comeback sooner than ever. If his workout video is to go by, rival pitchers have all the reason to worry; well, look at the bat swing he is generating! Mike Trout should take the minimum time to recover and come back harder without increasing the risk of further injuries considering his infamous injuries from the last two years. 

Meanwhile, how are fans reacting to his long-awaited comeback?

Fans are going gaga

It’s only been a few hours since Trout’s post, but his Instagram is already flooded with comments. Fans are ecstatic about his return, though some are so hyped they’re actually worried—analyzing his workouts and hoping he doesn’t push too hard too soon. “Please Mike don’t get hurt I beg u please”, is one such comment from a fan pointing out his desperation to get Trout to play for the Angels this year. Well, Trout missed most of the last year with 2x meniscus injuries, and he played only till July in 2023 leaving out with a left hamate bone injury afterward. Enough reasons for the fans to be tensed about his injuries. “Praying for a healthy season for you”, added another user. For the Angels’ fans, Mike Trout’s injury-ridden 2023 and 2024 is no less of a nightmare, and fans now are just hoping no more unwarranted cases with him. 

Trout is 33 now, and the baseball algorithm is already skeptical about his performance post his injury. “We miss you Trouty prove the doubters wrong this year”, remarked an enthusiast hoping that Trout will prove the critics wrong this time. For the unversed, Trout played only 29 games in 2024, amassing 24 HRs, which indicates that he still can make it bigger this year if he can play the entire season. Apart from his on-field activities, Mike Trout is capable of leading the dressing room and making things work, which was felt last year.

A user shared a similar view: “the type of content we want to see out of our 🐐. Hope the rest of the squad gets the message and follows suit”. Trout has been playing for the Angels since 2011, and he knows the team better than anyone else. Now the fans are looking up to him to take the lead again and steer through the challenges this year. A veteran with 13 years of career with the Angels is the perfect choice to lead by example and make others follow. “Revenge season“, a user remarked, seeking retribution for all the losses last year. The Angels ended 2024 with a 63-99 record and have not gone to the postseason since 2014. Enough justification for the fans to seek revenge this time from Trout. 

Expectations are high on Mike Trout this time, but for now, the fans are only hoping to see Trout play from the opening day. 

What do you think about Trout’s road to recovery?