Angels star OF Trout out again with back trouble

HOUSTON (AP) Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is out of the lineup once again because of back trouble.

Trout had an MRI on Wednesday and says it didn't reveal any damage. He was not going to start against the Houston Astros. He has some inflammation in the middle of his back on the left side and hopes to return to the lineup on Thursday.

Trout missed two games with stiffness in his upper back before starting Tuesday night in Houston. He left that game in the second inning because of his back problem.

He says that he feels a lot better on Wednesday than he did when he left the game on Tuesday night.

He added that if he ''doesn't feel it at all, I'm going to play. If I feel it a little bit, I should just be smart about it.''