Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout returns after five-game absence, avoids disabled list

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout will return to the lineup on Thursday night against the Detroit Tigers after missing five straight games with a left hamstring injury, the team said.

Trout injured the hamstring last week and later aggravated it. The Angels were concerned to the point that they had him undergo an MRI exam, and the results came back normal.

Trout tested the hamstring in warmups prior to Wednesday's game against Oakland, a development that left Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia hopeful he would play against Detroit in the opener of the four-game series.

Trout is serving as the designated hitter for Thursday's game.

The two-time American League MVP is batting .355 with eight homers and 21 RBIs this season.