Angels Mike Trout has a rare back condition that could impact his future career. Cardinals Pujols makes HR history in Toronto, Yankees trade for Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox make $170 million jersey patch deal, and more baseball news
Angels Mike Trout dealing with a rare back condition
Los Angeles Angels' head athletic trainer revealed that the team's center fielder, three-time American League MVP and ten-time MLB All-Star Mike Trout is dealing with a "rare" spinal condition that could affect him for the rest of his career, ESPN reported.
A few hours after the announcement, Trout found himself overwhelmed with support from friends and family.
"I appreciate all the prayer requests, but my career isn’t over," Trout said in an interview a few hours later. "The last two days have been huge steps. I’m excited with the way it’s going. I’m happy with it."
Trout said he believed the report was an "exaggeration" and said his condition was "costovertebral dysfunction at T5," the Orange County Register reported.
Dr. Robert Watkins, the back specialist who had examined Trout, commented that he had not seen that condition in baseball players.
"I think he [the physician] meant that I have to stay on top of the routine I do on a daily basis to keep it from coming back," Trout added.
Cardinals Pujols makes HR history in Toronto
Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols made home run history on Wednesday night in Toronto with a three-hit performance that included a monster 439-foot homer. Pujols's performance moved him past Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby into fourth place on the Cardinals' all-time hits list, with 2,112 career hits for St. Louis, KSDK reported.
He is now only bested by Yadier Molina, Lou Brock, and Stan Musial for the franchise. Pujols, 42, also became the oldest player to hit a home run in the history of Toronto's Rogers Center, which has been home to the Blue Jays since 1989.
Yankees trade for Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi
The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for three minor league pitchers. Benintendi is earning $8.5 million this season, the New York Post reported. Benintendi previously played for the Red Sox from 2016 through 2020. He won a Golden Globe award in 2021, and was an All-Star in 2022.
Red Sox make $170 million jersey patch deal
The Boston Red Sox are going corporate with their uniforms, signing a 10-year, $170 million deal to place a patch identifying Massachusetts-based bank MassMutual on their uniforms, the New York Post reported. Reportedly, the New York Mets are now looking to do the same with their uniforms.