(CNN)Mike Trout has been diagnosed with a rare back condition – costovertebral dysfunction at T5 – that will likely affect him for the rest of his playing career.
“The doctor (Robert Watkins III), who is one of the best-known spine surgeons in the country — if not the world — doesn’t see many of those,” Los Angeles Angels athletic coach Mike Frostad said Wednesday, according to ESPN.
“And for it to happen with a baseball player, we just have to consider what he’s going through on a daily basis batting and swinging just to prepare and then also playing in the outfield, diving for balls and wall-jumping – things like that. There are so many things that can make it worse.
Frostad added that the condition could affect Trout’s long-term prospects.
“We have to look at that as something that … he has to do, not just for the rest of this season but probably for the rest of his career,” he said, according to MLB.com.
Following those comments, Trout himself turned to reporters to clarify the news and downplay its seriousness following the Angels’ 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.
“I appreciate all prayer requests, but my career isn’t over yet,” the 10-time All Star said, according to the Orange County Register.
Trout left a game against Houston on July 12 with back spasms and was put on the injury list a week later with a chest infection before the underlying condition was diagnosed.
He retired from the All-Star game and was given a cortisone shot last week, but will be out of practice for at least another week.
“The last two days have been big steps. I’m thrilled with how it’s going. I’m happy with it,” added Trout.
Though he hopes to return this season, Trout acknowledged he needs to “keep on track” to cope with the illness.
It’s a setback for the second-highest-paid player in the game during his comeback season, which saw him hit .270 with 24 homers and 51 RBIs in 79 games after a calf injury that forced him to miss much of last year.
Trout has another doctor’s appointment on Sunday.
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