ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout announced Friday that a strained right hamstring will most likely keep him out of the All-Star Home Run Derby scheduled to take place in Philadelphia.
Trout, 34, anticipates being healthy enough to play in the July 14 All-Star Game itself, but the injury is expected to prevent him from taking part in the home run competition held the evening before at Citizens Bank Park.
“They asked me when we were in Sacramento last weekend, but I probably won’t do it,” Trout said ahead of the Angels’ matchup against the Athletics. “It would have been cool to do it, but the injury kind of threw things off.”
The three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star has repeatedly declined derby invitations throughout his career, citing concerns that the high number of all-out swings required during the event could disrupt his regular hitting mechanics. Despite those reservations, Trout had long said he intended to participate at least once before retiring from the game.
This season appeared to be the perfect opportunity. With All-Star festivities taking place at Citizens Bank Park — roughly 45 miles from his hometown of Millville, New Jersey — Trout seemed poised to finally make his derby debut. He added to that anticipation last weekend when he told USA Today he was “considering” joining the competition.
However, a change of mind came after he landed on the 10-day injured list on June 18. At that point, Trout was batting .234 with 17 home runs and 36 RBIs across 74 games.
“When it came out that the All-Star Game was in Philly, I thought it definitely would have been cool to do,” said Trout, who currently sits second behind Aaron Judge in All-Star voting among American League outfielders. “Then I hurt my leg, so I’m leaning toward not doing it.”
