Mike Trout to Return from Thumb Injury in 1st Game After All-Star Break

The Los Angeles Angels will activate outfielder Mike Trout for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin reported Sunday.

Trout has been out of action since suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb in the Angels' 9-2 defeat to the Miami Marlins on May 28.

Trout began rehabbing with the Inland Empire 66ers, Los Angeles' High-A affiliate, earlier this month. In four games for the team, he has gone 2-for-9 at the plate with five runs scored.

The Angels were a game under .500 (26-27) when Trout got injured, and most expected Los Angeles' playoff hopes to fade quickly in his absence.

While the team is now two games under .500 (45-47) entering the All-Star break, only three games separate the Angels from the second wild-card spot in the American League. Los Angeles can close that gap if Trout picks up from where he left off before the injury.

In 47 games this year, Trout is batting .337 and leads the team with 16 home runs. He also has 36 RBI and a .742 slugging percentage.