5 MLB stars who missed major time last season and are ready to rock in 2025 ft. Mike Trout
Some MLB players didn't enjoy good 2024 seasons thanks to poor health. There are quite a few MLB stars who missed all of or most of the 2024 season, and they're getting healthy for the 2025 season. Here are some examples of players who should return and post good seasons next year.
5 stars returning from injury ready for big 2025 MLB seasons
5) Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker played less than half of the games last year. He was an MVP candidate before getting hurt and still ended up posting good numbers, including 23 home runs. He's now with a new team, but he's still the talented outfielder he was in 2024.
Tucker has good speed, power and defense, but he can also hit for average. One of the most well-rounded players in the sport is due for another good year if healthy.
4) Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. was having a pretty good, albeit not to his 2023 MVP level, year before tearing his ACL. He might miss a chunk of the 2025 season, but when he's on the field, expect him to once again do big things.
He is a rare talent with power and speed, and he will once again be in a deep lineup with the Atlanta Braves. There's a chance his speed has diminished with a second ACL tear, but the bat is still going to be elite.
3) Jasson Dominguez
In both Triple-A and the MLB level, Jasson Dominguez dealt with a variety of injuries. He came up and took the world by storm in September 2023, but injuries kept him off the field for much of 2024. He is poised for a big year.
Not only is he older and has a little more MLB experience under his belt, but he'd be the starting left fielder for the New York Yankees if the season started today. The playing time is finally there, and so is the health.
2) Spencer Strider
Spencer Strider was a Cy Young candidate before going down and requiring season-ending surgery. The pitcher, fortunately, got hurt at the beginning of the year, so he won't miss as much of the 2025 season if any.
The Atlanta Braves ace has been one of the most dominant pitchers every year he's played. He's a genuine candidate for 300 strikeouts this season. Strider is also a good candidate for the MLB Comeback Player of the Year award.
1) Mike Trout
Mike Trout played just 29 games last year, but the numbers were fairly good. He had a 1.0 fWAR, which would have translated to over five wins if he'd played 150 games. He was also on a 50-homer pace. The batting average and on-base percentage did dip, but they were overall fine numbers.
After another lost season, the onus on Trout is to play more games. If he does that, he's certainly primed for a good year. He may not be the Trout of old, but nothing from last year suggests he's fallen off.