​Even though he isn’t at the peak of his powers anymore, the Angels still treat every return of superstar center fielder Mike Trout from the injured list as a major event. This time, Trout’s comeback carries extra significance, extending beyond the usual impact of bringing back a franchise icon. He was selected for his 12th All-Star Game while on the injured list with a hamstring strain, and with the 2026 All-Star Game set to be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia—just a short drive from Trout’s hometown—there was a clear goal for him: to come back in time to participate in an All-Star Game near home, in front of friends and family.
The Angels announced Trout’s return ahead of their commanding 13-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. In his first game back, Trout went 1-for-4 and delivered a two-run homer as the designated hitter. His eighth-inning blast traveled 438 feet and left the bat at 110.6 mph, helping stretch the lead to 11-0 at that moment. At the time of his return, Trout was posting a .234 batting average with an .874 OPS and 18 home runs on the season.
Even with a relatively modest batting average and an elevated strikeout rate (24.8% before he came back), Trout’s power and plate patience remain elite. He chased out of the strike zone only 19.3% of the time, and he boasted a 21.0% barrel rate. A significant part of his season’s production has come from improved results against velocity. The scouting reports over the past few years have noted Trout’s struggles against high-velocity pitching, yet this season he is hitting .302 and swinging and missing only 16.9% of fastballs 95 mph or faster.
Trout has made his All-Star appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2023, but this marks his return to the Midsummer Classic since 2019 due to injuries. Regarding the game itself, the Angels’ offense surged behind several standout performances. Jo Adell reached a new personal best with five RBIs, including two home runs. Vaughn Grissom contributed four hits—four-for-five—with three singles and a double while driving in four runs, marking his second four-hit game of his career and the first since his rookie season in 2022.
Wednesday’s performance also marked a milestone for the Angels, as it was the first time they had multiple players with four or more RBIs in a game since their 25-1 rout of the Colorado Rockies on June 24, 2023, when Brandon Drury, David Fletcher, Mickey Moniak, and Hunter Renfroe each drove in four. Zach Neto added three hits, all coming with two strikes, and his second double of the game produced a season-high exit velocity of 109.7 mph as he scored all three times he reached base.
On the mound, Walber Ureña faced a rocky outing for a four-inning stint that was otherwise scoreless. He allowed just one hit but issued five walks, throwing strikes only 58% of the time and recording a 41% zone rate. Despite that rough stretch, Ureña has posted a 2.94 ERA across 15 starts since returning to the rotation in mid-April, though his walk rate remains a concern at 12.7%.
The win ended a seven-game skid for the Angels, who improved to 37-56 on the season. Trout’s return, paired with the team’s offensive outburst, offered a renewed sense of optimism, even as the standings still show the Angels trailing in their division. For Trout, the relief of rejoining the lineup, the chance to play in a home-area All-Star Game, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully in a season that has been challenging adds a layer of personal significance to a moment that fans and teammates alike are savoring.