Mike Trout is out to prove once again he’s built to last as a cornerstone of the Angels. The Chicago White Sox are crossing their fingers they won’t prove to be built for last.
As Opening Day optimism swirls, the White Sox and Los Angeles Angels hope Thursday’s pomp lasts longer than one afternoon.
Chicago begins its 125th season and greets home fans for the first time since losing a modern-day record 121 games in 2024, while Los Angeles is coming off a franchise-record 99 defeats.
That stretched to nine the Angels’ streak of consecutive losing seasons and 10 their streak of non-playoff seasons. Both are the longest in the majors.
“I believe we’re better than we were last year,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “We brought in a lot of veteran players that have accomplished a lot of things in their career. And being in a clubhouse for 37-38 years of my life, I’m big on our young core, which is obviously very, very important to us, being surrounded with the right guys.”
Trout remains the most prominent familiar face as he works to move past an injury-plagued 2024. Trout twice tore the meniscus in his left knee last season and was limited to 29 games. He has not played a full-length season since 2019.
Trout will pivot to right field from center field as Jo Adell, part of the young core Minasian describes, will likely fill Trout’s former spot. Mickey Moniak, who was released Tuesday, was part of the competition.
“I’m actually enjoying it a lot,” Trout, 33, said of the move. “During pitching changes, when I go to center field, it’s like, ‘Man, this is bigger than I thought it was.’ There’s a lot of room out there. But I think just getting the reps and just getting more comfortable, with angles and stuff, and working with the coaches, I think it’s been great.”
A rainy week and stormy weekend are in the forecast, but Thursday — or Friday, if weather becomes an issue — will mark the first game in the dugout for new White Sox manager Will Venable, who served as associate manager under the Texas Rangers’ Bruce Bochy for the past two seasons.
While Chicago traded left-handed ace Garrett Crochet to Boston during the offseason, furthering a prolonged rebuild, the franchise for now still considers Luis Robert Jr. its center fielder.
Still only 27 but beset by injuries for most of his five seasons in the majors, Robert Jr. batted .300 in 50 spring training at-bats with four home runs and eight RBIs.
“He’s really worked hard and he looks very locked in and ready to go,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said. “I just wanted him to go out there and play, and we’ll see where that takes us. We know when Luis is out there playing at a high level, it’s good for the White Sox.”
Chicago is confident veteran production from first baseman Andrew Vaughn, left fielder Andrew Benintendi, and Robert can help support a young and jelling rotation.
Rookie righty Sean Burke, who pitched to a 1.42 ERA in four September appearances last season, including three starts, will get the call for Chicago.
Veteran offseason acquisition Yusei Kikuchi is set to start for the Angels. The left-hander went 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA in 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros last season. He is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA in six career starts against Chicago.
