Injured Angels star Mike Trout not expected to play again in 2021

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout isn't expected to return to the field in 2021, Angels manager Joe Maddon told reporters.

Maddon spoke about the status of Trout's right calf strain before the Angles beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 Wednesday in Chicago.

"I'm not anticipating anything to change in regards to him playing," Maddon told reporters. "I'd be very surprised."

Trout, a three-time American League MVP, last played in mid-May. Just 17 games remain on the Angels' regular-season schedule. They are seven games behind in the American League Wild Card race.

Trout hit .333 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in 36 games this season. He strained his calf while running the bases during a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on May 17 in Anaheim, Calif.

"I don't expect him to play today or tomorrow or anytime soon," Maddon said. "He's upbeat as he can be."

Maddon said Trout discusses strategy with him throughout games and "wants to be out there." The 30-year-old center fielder signed a record-breaking, 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension with the Angels in 2019.

Trout, arguably the best player in baseball, owns a .305 batting average with 310 home runs in 11 seasons with the Angels. His salary is $37.1 million for each of the next nine seasons.

The Angels (71-74) face the White Sox (83-62) at 2:10 p.m. EDT Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.