David Chao, MD: Angels Superstar Mike Trout Could Miss Up To Two Months

Perennial All-Star/MVP Mike Trout was placed on the 10-day IL by the Angels, but expect him to miss much more than that. In fact, he could miss up to two months. 

It happened in classic fashion with an eccentric load as he accelerated with his first step out of the batter's box. He limped off the field yesterday with a calf strain, an injury which can often linger. 

Now comes news of a higher degree grade 2 or 3 calf strain. Trout admitted to hearing/feeling a pop and even worried about his Achilles. 

The good news is the pop was not his Achilles, or he wouldn't have been able to walk to the dugout. The bad news is the pop indicates an actual tear of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle. Thankfully, no surgery will be needed, but the rehab and recovery for this muscle tear will be prolonged. It automatically carries a minimum six-week healing time, but given how calf injuries linger, expect this to extend over two months and for the Angels to be careful on his return.

Given the extended absence, this may be the first time in years that Trout isn't at the top of the MVP voting, and the already struggling Angels are likely to fall further under the .500 mark.