Mike Trout dealing with 'pretty rare' back condition, but Los Angeles Angels star says it's manageable
The 10-time All-Star skipped a game against Houston on July 12 for what was first called a back spasm, then a week later went on the injured list called rib cage swelling.
On Wednesday, Angels athletic trainer Mike Forstead described it as a rare spinal condition.
“It’s a very rare condition that he’s in his back right now,” Frosted said. “The doctor (Robert Watkins III), one of the most famous spine surgeons in the country – if not the world – doesn’t see a lot of these.
“And for that to happen in a baseball player – we just have to pay attention to what he puts himself in with hitting, swinging on a daily basis to get ready, and then playing in the outfield as well, Dives for balls, jumps into the wall – stuff like that. There’s a lot of things that can increase it. But this doctor hasn’t seen much.”
Trout smiled, thinking of the absurdity of the overwhelming reactions being seen online following Frostad’s comments.
“I came back and my phone was flying: ‘My career is over,’” he said. “It’s rare for a baseball player. I just have to be on top of it.”
Trout received a cortisone injection last week, the results of which are starting to show. He has a follow-up visit next week and “we’ll go from there,” he said, although he has every intention of coming back this year.
“Of course,” he said. “that’s my goal.”
There is no discussion about whether the Angels have shut him down.
“I don’t think we’re at the point where we’re going to make that decision,” Frosted said. “Once we’re back he’s going to do a follow-up here and we’ll see what the doctors think at that point.”
Trout dealing with long-term back issue
Kansas City – After receiving a cortisone shot to relieve back/left rib burns on July 21, Mike Trout continues to play the waiting game. Angels head coach Mike Frostad said Wednesday that it could take up to two weeks from the time of the shot before trout feel its full benefits.
However, by and large, Frostad revealed what could be more disturbing news than this. Trout has a rare condition in his back – costovertebral dysfunction in T5 – that he will have to manage for the rest of his playing days.
“I think we have to worry about that a bit,” Frosted said. “He’s a little more upbeat today and he’s starting to feel like he’s getting an advantage. But long term, we have to look at it in a way that he’s got to manage not only through the rest of this season but through the rest of his life as well. Will have to do. Career maybe.”
“I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. I appreciate all the prayer requests, but my career isn’t over.
“I’m not worried about it. You swing a lot and things unfold. I was playing through it a little bit and it just got to the point where it was time to figure it out.”
Trout will follow up with his vet next week. Unable to resume baseball activities, he has started working out core and cardio. But no matter when he returns in the immediate future, his situation is something he and the club will have to monitor moving forward.
“It’s a very rare condition that his back is in,” Frosted said. “For this to happen to a baseball player … we have to focus on what he does on a daily basis to get himself hit, ready to swing, and play in the outfield. There are so many things who can increase it.”
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