Mike Trout Homers in Return from Injury as Angels Defeat Padres 7-4 in Cactus League Action

Mike Trout made a triumphant return to action today at Tempe Diablo Stadium, launching a towering two-run home run in his first at-bat back from a minor wrist injury to help lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-4 victory over the San Diego Padres in Cactus League play. The three-time American League MVP looked completely healthy and showed no signs of rust, going 2-for-3 with the home run and a single while scoring two runs in what was an encouraging performance for Angels fans everywhere.

Trout had been sidelined for the past week with what the team described as minor wrist soreness, but his return today demonstrated that the injury was nothing serious. The 32-year-old superstar wasted no time making an impact, taking Padres starter Joe Musgrove deep on a 2-1 fastball in the bottom of the second inning. The blast traveled an estimated 420 feet and gave the Angels an early 3-1 lead in front of a sold-out crowd that included many fans who had come specifically to see Trout's return.

"It felt great to get back out there and contribute to a win," Trout said after the game. "The wrist feels 100 percent, and I'm excited to build on this performance as we get closer to Opening Day. The time off actually helped me reset mentally, and I think you could see that in my at-bats today." Angels manager Phil Nevin was clearly pleased with his superstar's return, noting Trout's energy level and the quality of his swings throughout the contest.

The Angels offense received contributions throughout their lineup, with Anthony Rendon adding a three-run double and Taylor Ward contributing two RBIs to support Trout's return. Starting pitcher Griffin Canning threw four solid innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out six batters in what appears to be a strong spring performance for the right-hander. The well-rounded team effort provided optimism for an Angels squad that has faced questions about their depth and consistency entering the 2026 season.

For the Padres, the loss was disappointing but hardly concerning given the spring training context and the impressive play of several young prospects who got extended looks in the contest. Musgrove allowed four runs over five innings but showed good velocity and command with his pitches, while Ha-seong Kim and Jake Cronenworth both had multi-hit games for San Diego. The Padres will look to bounce back tomorrow when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks in Scottsdale.

Trout's healthy return is crucial for an Angels organization that has built their championship hopes around their generational talent remaining on the field. The former MVP has dealt with various injuries over the past few seasons, making his health the most important factor in Los Angeles' playoff aspirations. "Having Mike back and looking like himself gives our entire team a boost," said teammate Shohei Ohtani. "When he's in the lineup, it changes the whole dynamic of our offense."

The Angels are scheduled to continue their Cactus League schedule this weekend with games against the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, providing Trout with additional opportunities to fine-tune his timing before the regular season begins. Los Angeles opens their 2026 campaign on March 28th against the Houston Astros, and having their franchise cornerstone healthy and productive will be essential to their hopes of ending their playoff drought. Today's performance suggests that Trout is ready to help lead that charge, providing hope for Angels fans who have waited patiently for their team to return to contention. The Angels finished with 13 hits in the victory, demonstrating the kind of offensive depth that could make them dangerous if Trout stays healthy throughout the season.