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Angels star Mike Trout needs second surgery for torn meniscus, ending his season

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Angels star Mike Trout needs second surgery for torn meniscus, ending his season
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Angels star Mike Trout needs second surgery for torn meniscus, ending his season

2024-08-02 08:12 Last Updated At:08:21

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels star Mike Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP.

Trout said Thursday in a social media post that an MRI revealed the new meniscus tear. He previously had surgery on May 3 to repair the meniscus and had been working toward a return before his rehab was shut down on Tuesday.

“After months of hard work, I was devastated (Wednesday) when an MRI showed a tear in my meniscus that will require surgery again — ending my hopes of returning this season,” Trout posted.

“Playing and competing is a huge part of my life. This is equally as heartbreaking and frustrating for me as it is for you, the fans. I understand that I may have disappointed many, but believe me, I will do everything I can to come back even stronger.”

Trout batted .220 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs in 29 games this season for the Angels, who are fourth in the AL West with little chance at a playoff berth.

“It’s unfortunate what has happened again, but no doubt he has a chance to get that leg extremely well and he doesn’t have to have anything on his mind but getting ready for February,” Angels manager Ron Washington said.

The AL MVP in 2014, 2016 and 2019 and an 11-time All-Star, the 32-year-old Trout has been limited by a series of injuries over the past four years. He hasn't played more than 119 games in any of the past five seasons. He was limited to 36 games in 2021 and 82 last year.

“He’s devastated,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters. “I was, too, to be honest with you. I’m not the emotional type but being in the room and hearing the news with him was tough. Nobody wants to play more. Nobody cares about this building, this fan base, this team more than he does.”

Trout is making $37.1 million in the sixth year of a 12-year, $426.5 million contract and will earn that salary in each of the next six seasons.

“He’s gonna come back next year, win the MVP, hit 70 home runs,” Minasian said. “Book it.”

The Angels were 10-18 to open the season with Trout, then went 10-17 in May, their first full month without him. The club went 15-11 in June, when outfielder Jo Adell hit seven home runs. Young players including Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and Logan O’Hoppe have been productive, even as the team slipped to 11-14 in July.

“It we had (Trout) on the field, (Anthony) Rendon on the field and (Brandon) Drury on the field it would have made a big difference,” Washington said. “But we had an opportunity to watch our kids grow and I have been very impressed with that group.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout grounds out to Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott during the first inning of a baseball game, April 29, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Angels star Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout grounds out to Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott during the first inning of a baseball game, April 29, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Angels star Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Anaheim, Calif., April 24, 2024. Angels star Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Mike Trout celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Anaheim, Calif., April 24, 2024. Angels star Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, ending another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, June 7, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Trout has said an MRI on his left knee came back clean and that he is hoping to resume his rehab soon. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, June 7, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Trout has said an MRI on his left knee came back clean and that he is hoping to resume his rehab soon. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

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Everything you need to know about the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

2025-01-23 00:08 Last Updated At:00:11

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — As many in the entertainment industry navigate the devastating effects of the California wildfires, some will soon be decamping to cleaner air in the mountains. The annual Sundance Film Festival begins Thursday in Park City, Utah.

The 41st edition of Robert Redford’s brainchild will, as always, be a year of discovery and discussion. There are timely films:

— “Free Leonard Peltier,” which will premiere just days after former President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of the Indigenous activist nearly half a century after he was imprisoned for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

— Oscar-winner Mstyslav Chernov’s“2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a joint production between The Associated Press and Frontline about an attempt to liberate an occupied territory in Ukraine

— Several films about trans rights including “Heightened Scrutiny,” about civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio. It's a topic even more pressing after President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday rolling back protections for transgender people.

There are even some controversies brewing: “The Stringer,” from documentary filmmaker Bao Nguyen, calls into question who took the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Napalm Girl” photograph. Retired AP photographer Nick Ut and the AP, which conducted a six-month investigation into the allegation, are contesting it vigorously and lawyers have asked for it to be pulled from the program.

“The film is an investigation,” said Eugene Hernandez, the director of the festival, who is moving forward with plans to screen it. “I think it will be a really important conversation that will come out over the next few days after the film is seen by more people.”

Don’t worry, it’s not all heavy. There’s drama of course, even a film about starting over after a fire (“Rebuilding,” with Josh O’Connor), horror, satire, literary adaptations, comedy, documentaries about famous faces, and some that simply defy categorization.

“There’s some really funny stuff in the program,” Hernandez said. One of those Hernandez cited is “Bubble & Squeak,” about a married couple accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where they’re banned.

For first time filmmakers, Sundance can be their chance to break through in a big way. That happened last year for “Dìdi” filmmaker Sean Wang. Some films that debuted last January are still in the awards conversation, like “A Real Pain” and “A Different Man.” For actors, the festival is both a casual respite to awards season glitz (snow boots are more likely on red carpets than high heels) and can be a chance to show audiences a new dimension of their talent.

“It’s a strong year of renewal for our artist community,” Hernandez said. “And we have a lot of really great voices and stories that we get to unveil in the coming days.”

Here’s everything you need to know:

Sundance runs from Jan. 23 through Feb. 2. There are about 90 features premiering across the 11 days, with screenings starting early in the morning through midnight. Award-winners will be announced on Jan. 31.

Stars with films premiering include Jennifer Lopez, Benedict Cumberbatch, Diego Luna, Conan O’Brien, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Ayo Edebiri, Olivia Colman, André Holland, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Bowen Yang, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Lily Gladstone, Dev Patel, Emily Watson, John Lithgow, Marlee Matlin, John Malkovich, Rose Byrne, Chloë Sevigny, Josh O’Connor, Ben Whishaw, Dylan O’Brien, Lili Reinhart and Willem Dafoe.

One of the greatest things about Sundance is that it’s often the under-the-radar movies that become the breakouts.

But some of the higher-profile premieres going into the festival include: Bill Condon’s “Kiss of the Spider-Woman,” starring Lopez; Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)”; “Opus,” a horror about the cult of celebrity with Edebiri and John Malkovich; Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet,” with Bowen Yang and Kelly Marie Tran; the war satire “Atropia,” with Alia Shawkat; “Pee-wee as Himself,” about the late Paul Reubens; “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore”; and Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman’s doc “The Alabama Solution,” about a cover-up in one of America’s most notorious prison systems.

Festival organizers have been in dialogue with filmmakers, staff, audiences and donors about the effects of the fires, supporting and accommodating where possible including pushing back deadlines to allow filmmakers more time to finish. The festival will also have a QR code displayed before screenings for information on sharing resources or contributing to relief efforts.

“As hard as the last week has been, this will be a moment to come together,” Hernandez said. “The community’s really responding to support those who need it most right now. I think that’s going to be a profound aspect of this year’s festival.”

For the most part, yes. Starting in 2027 the festival will no longer be primarily based in Park City. It may stay in Utah but would operate mainly out of Salt Lake City. Other finalists are Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The Sundance Institute is expected to announce its final decision in the first quarter of 2025.

“Park City as the home of Sundance is such a special place,” Hernandez said. “I look at it optimistically because we have two more exciting years in this current configuration. I think we’re going to make the most of those two years and make them as memorable and meaningful as we can.”

Access to the movies premiering at Sundance doesn’t necessary require an expensive trip to Park City anymore. The festival has fully embraced an online component for many of their films.

What started as a necessary COVID-19 adjustment has become a vital part of the program. From Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, audiences can stream much of the program online. Prices start at $35 for a single film ticket and go up to $800 for unlimited access.

Otherwise, films that secure distribution can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to hit theaters or streaming services. Steven Soderbergh's “Presence,” which premiered last January, is just hitting theaters this week.

For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival visit: https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival

The marquee of the Egyptian Theatre is shown Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The marquee of the Egyptian Theatre is shown Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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