Yordan Alvarez, Mike Trout Among Top Contenders for AL Comeback Player of the Year

Track the latest 2026 AL Comeback Player of the Year contenders as Yordan Alvarez and Mike Trout lead the market, with updated stats, analysis, and insights.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:10pm

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The MLB Comeback Player of the Year race is shaping up to be one of the more compelling markets early in the 2026 season, driven by a mix of star power, narrative, and opportunity. American League contenders Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros lead the market as they look to bounce back from injury-plagued 2025 campaigns.

Why it matters

The Comeback Player of the Year award tends to favor players who can reestablish themselves over the grind of a full 162-game schedule after overcoming injuries, down seasons, or other major setbacks. With Trout and Alvarez being two of the AL's biggest stars, their ability to regain their elite form could have significant implications for their teams' playoff hopes and the overall balance of power in the American League.

The details

Mike Trout has missed 421 games over the last five seasons due to injuries, but when healthy, he remains one of the most productive players in the game. Trout is trending more toward a designated hitter role, and he struggled with his batting average last season despite still showing strong power numbers. Yordan Alvarez's 2025 season was derailed by injuries, including a right-hand issue and a left ankle injury, but he has proven he can bounce back midseason, as evidenced by his strong 2023 and 2024 campaigns. When healthy, Alvarez offers one of the best combinations of average and power in the game.

  • Through the first couple weeks of the 2026 season, Mike Trout is hitting .212 with a .412 OBP, adding two home runs, three RBIs, and a pair of successful steals.
  • So far in 2026, Yordan Alvarez is off to a strong start, hitting .324 with a .519 OBP, four home runs, and 10 RBIs, while drawing more walks (10) than strikeouts (7) and converting his lone stolen base attempt.

The players

Mike Trout

A Los Angeles Angels designated hitter who has missed 421 games over the last five seasons due to injuries, but when healthy, remains one of the most productive players in the game.

Yordan Alvarez

A Houston Astros left fielder whose 2025 season was derailed by injuries, including a right-hand issue and a left ankle injury, but has proven he can bounce back midseason, as evidenced by his strong 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

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What they’re saying

“Mike Trout reached base 11 times through the first three games, which set a franchise record”

— BetMGM

“Yordan Alvarez has a .591 SLG in 1,000 career plate appearances vs. LHP. That's the highest SLG by any left-handed batter vs. LHP in the Expansion Era (since 1961), minimum 800 PA”

— MLB Stats

The takeaway

The race for the 2026 AL Comeback Player of the Year award is shaping up to be a battle between two of the league's biggest stars, Mike Trout and Yordan Alvarez, as they look to regain their elite form after injury-plagued 2025 seasons. Their ability to stay healthy and productive could have significant implications for their teams' playoff hopes and the overall balance of power in the American League.