Mike Trout meets NFL star, then returns to Angels lineup against Astros

Mike Trout returned to the lineup Thursday night after missing two games because of a sore left wrist, an encouraging development for an Angels team that is trying to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the American League West-rival Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park.

“It’s big; not being in there stinks,” said Trout, who is batting .315 with a major league-leading 31 homers, 64 runs batted in and 75 runs. “As a guy who plays every day, you want to be out there to help your team, especially against a team in your division. It was tough missing the first two games, but today is a new day, and I’m in there.”

Trout, who injured the wrist while attempting a diving catch in Sunday’s game against Texas, hit off a tee and took some soft toss Thursday afternoon and said he “really didn’t feel anything.” He seemed fine after going through normal pregame batting practice on the field.

“No one ever has a crystal ball, but he wouldn’t be out there tonight if, first of all, Mike and the medical staff didn’t think that he’s 100%, ready go to,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

“And second, as he goes through his workouts here, if there’s anything in B.P. that pops up, we’ll make whatever adjustments we have to make. But Mike says he feels great.”

Earlier Thursday, Trout met one of the best players in the NFL, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who took some batting practice in Minute Maid Park and visited players from both teams.

Trout, considered the best all-around player in baseball, is a chiseled 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, and many think he could have been a star running back in college or even the NFL, but after meeting Watt, Trout wasn’t so sure.

“He’s a special guy, he’s gifted,” Trout said. “He’s 6-6, 290 pounds and just shredded. It’s pretty impressive. I wouldn’t want to be a running back and get hit by him, that’s for sure.

“It was pretty cool to meet him. All the things you hear about, all the big plays he makes on TV watching football on Sundays, it’s finally good to meet him.”