It’s not every day you catch Mike Trout breaking character. The quiet titan of baseball, who usually keeps his head down and his highlights loud, decided to do something different. He opened up his Instagram story not to celebrate a diving catch or a clutch homer, but to shine a spotlight on someone outside the lines of baseball. And that someone? Country music superstar Morgan Wallen.

Wallen, fresh off the release of his latest album, I’m The Problem, sent Trout a custom gift box complete with album-themed gear and a handwritten note. Trout didn’t just say thank you in private, he put it on blast for his millions of followers to see. Sharing a photo of the package, Trout added a short but powerful caption: “Appreciate the love, @morganwallen. New album is fire.”

That kind of endorsement might seem simple, but from Trout, it speaks volumes. The three-time MVP isn’t known for being flashy off the field. So when he takes the time to publicly celebrate someone else’s work, especially in a different industry, you know it hit him in a real way. The handwritten note from Wallen read, “Excited to share my new album, I’m The Problem. I’m extremely proud of it—it means a lot to have your support. Couldn’t do it without you. – MW.”

This wasn’t just a celebrity-to-celebrity moment, it was one of those rare, unscripted exchanges that fans genuinely love to see. It showed the crossover between sports and music in a way that felt human. A guy who crushes baseballs for a living vibing to the raw emotion of a country record? That’s the kind of authenticity social media was made for.

There’s no sponsorship, no brand activation here, just one all-star giving a tip of the cap to another. And in a digital world full of curated perfection, that kind of honest support hits harder than ever. Wallen’s fans already knew the album was a banger. Now, thanks to Trout, baseball fans do too.

Turns out, Mike Trout doesn’t just have an eye for breaking balls, he’s got an ear for a great record, too.

Mike Trout, jogging toward a comeback

Meanwhile, Mike Trout took a meaningful stride, literally, in his return from a bone bruise in his left knee. On Monday, the Angels‘ superstar jogged on the field for the first time since the injury sidelined him on April 30. It wasn’t a full sprint, but it was enough to turn heads in the Angels’ camp. “I came out, I feel good,” Trout said with a grin on Tuesday. “I’m really excited with where I’m at right now. We’re upping the intensity and there’s no soreness.”

That’s big news, especially considering how cautious both Trout and the Angels have been after multiple knee surgeries over the past year. This time around, there’s a sense of careful optimism, but also urgency. Trout didn’t run on Tuesday but confirmed he’s building up steadily. “They’ve got a routine for me every day,” he explained. “Hopefully, I get to running the bases soon. I think that’s a big hurdle.” For now, he’s hitting pain-free, playing catch, and keeping his swing sharp.

What about a rehab assignment? Not likely. “I don’t want to do it,” Trout admitted. “If I had any input, I wouldn’t want to do it.” Angels manager Ron Washington is keeping him in check despite Trout’s eagerness. “He wanted to do more, but we’re not going to rush it,” Washington said. “We’ve got to hold Mike back until we check every box.”

So while there’s no exact return date, the signs are clear: Trout’s comeback is in motion, and the finish line isn’t far off.