Mike Trout out of lineup again Sunday vs. Astros

For the third time in four games, Mike Trout is not in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Angels.

After going into the first week of May having played every game for the Angels, Mike Trout was out of the lineup Thursday night due to what was eventually deemed to be hamstring tightness. He returned Friday night against the Astros though, going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

But Trout was a late scratch from Saturday night’s game, after pregame warmups, due to renewed tightness in his left hamstring. Hamstring issues can be nagging, but Trout’s inability to shake this one is becoming a concern.

Ahead of Sunday’s 12:37 p.m. local time first pitch, the Angels’ lineup surfaced. For the third time in four games, a big name is missing.

In Trout’s place, as in the prior recent games, Cameron Maybin will move from left to center field and Ben Revere will start in left field. Using Trout as a designated hitter is not viable for manager Mike Scioscia, since that’s the spot Albert Pujols occupies and he’s essentially unusable at first base.

There does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel, as Trout said he feels better and expects to return Monday night against Oakland.

Next: Best player on all 30 MLB teams

Trout off to a very nice start this year, hitting .355 (third in the American League) with eight home runs, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored along with a AL-leading .446 on-base percentage. His absence this weekend may only be a small footnote in another MVP-caliber season, but if Trout is unable to return to the lineup Monday night the concern level will have to rise.