Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after suffering a fracture of the hamate bone in his left hand.
Trout sustained the injury in the eighth inning of Monday's game against the San Diego Padres when he fouled off a pitch from Nick Martinez. He immediately grabbed his wrist in pain and was removed from the game.
An X-ray confirmed the fracture, and Trout is expected to miss at least four weeks. The Angels said he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The injury is a major blow to the Angels, who are currently in the thick of the playoff race. Trout is one of the best players in baseball, and his absence will be felt on both sides of the ball.
Trout is batting .306 with 23 home runs and 52 RBIs this season. He is also a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder.
The Angels recalled outfielder Jo Adell from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Trout's place on the roster.
Hamate bone fractures are common in baseball players, as they can be caused by repetitive stress on the wrist. The hamate bone is located in the center of the wrist, and it helps to stabilize the wrist joint.
Treatment for hamate bone fractures typically involves immobilization of the wrist for four to six weeks. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
The Angels are hoping that Trout will be able to return to the lineup in time for the stretch run of the season. However, it is too early to say for sure when he will be back.
In the meantime, the Angels will need to find a way to replace Trout's production. Adell is a talented player, but he is still relatively inexperienced. The Angels will also need to get more production from their other hitters, such as Shohei Ohtani and Jared Walsh.
The Angels are currently in third place in the American League West, and they are just two games behind the first-place Houston Astros. The Angels will need to stay competitive in the division while Trout is out, if they want to make a run at the playoffs.
