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The Los Angeles Angels are due to pay Mike Trout over $35 million this year, but that, combined with his injury history, have proven to be major obstacles to the World Baseball Classic.
The three-time MVP, who earned the nickname “Captain America” for his stellar performance in the event three years ago, told reporters on Monday that he was unable to get his contract insured for the tournament.
Trout said he wanted to play again, but “insurance was the biggest hurdle I was trying to get through.”
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Mike Trout of the United States leads his teammates while carrying the American flag prior to the game against Japan at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)
“It’s disappointing, I wanted to run it back with all the guys,” Trout said.
According to Yahoo Sports, a player does not necessarily lose his contract if he is injured in the event. Rather, it would be the team that owes the insurance coverage via National Financial Partners, which the WBC organization uses to underwrite the contracts of all 40-man roster players competing in the event.
Trout has a base salary of $35.45 million for 2026 and earns an additional $1.67 million from the $20 million signing bonus he agreed to as part of his $426.5 million contract.
For example, the New York Mets got a full refund of Edwin Diaz’s $18.64 million salary in 2023 after he tore his kneecap in celebration of a win.
Trout was part of perhaps the best moment in tournament history when he and former Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani of Team Japan faced off with two outs in the top of the ninth of a 3-2 championship game. Ohtani struck out Trout in a long game to give Japan the title.
However, Trout has struggled mightily to stay on the field in recent years.
Manager Phil Nevin talks with Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels during his at-bat during the eighth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 3, 2023 in San Diego, California. Trout subsequently left the game. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Since 2021, Trout has not played more than 130 games, a number he reached last season for the first time since 2019 (the 2020 season was just 60 games). His injuries moved him to right field last year, but this season he aims to return to center.
Trout hasn’t played in more than 140 games since 2016. He played in 36, 82 and 29 games in 2021, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Trout was finally able to stay healthy and didn’t look like his usual self, batting .232 with a .797 OPS — the lowest mark of his career since his brief call-up in 2011, when he didn’t even qualify as a rookie.
Mike Trout of Team USA reacts after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning during Game 6 of Pool C between Team Canada and Team USA at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Trout is signed through the 2030 season after penning the 12-year pact ahead of the 2019 season. At the time, it was the richest contract in the history of the sport, but has since been surpassed by Ohtani, Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
