Fully healthy, Trout wants to play CF again in 2026

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Mike Trout in right field experiment appears over.

Trout, a three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star, told general manager Perry Minasian and manager Kurt Suzuki that he prefers to return to center field this season after moving to right last year. Trout, 34, said he’s more comfortable in center and that he didn’t believe the move to a corner spot made a difference in keeping him healthy.

“I talked to ‘Zuk; I definitely want to play center,” Trout said. “I told him I'll play anywhere, but obviously prefer center. It was good communication with him and Perry, and they’re on board with it.”

Trout played just 22 games in right field last year before he sustained a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee after a misstep on the first-base bag while running the bases on April 30 in Seattle. He missed exactly one month with the injury and was forced to serve as the designated hitter for the rest of the season. The superstar slashed an uncharacteristic .232/.359/.439 with 26 homers, 14 doubles and 64 RBIs in 130 games.

Trout has made it clear throughout his career he doesn’t enjoy DH'ing, but he knows he’ll have to mix it in here and there this season. He’s also open to playing some corner outfield, as needed.

“I feel like I'm at my best when I’m in center,” Trout said. “But if I had to go to the corner, I would go to the corner. Honestly, I felt like when I was in center, it was less on my body than the corners. In right, it felt like I was running a lot, but it's just like a preference thing. I just feel confident in center.”

Trout’s move back to center would benefit the roster, as the Angels lack a true everyday center fielder. It would allow Jo Adell to play right field and Josh Lowe to play left, with Jorge Soler occasionally playing corner outfield. Bryce Teodosio is currently competing with non-roster invitee Jose Siri for a backup role in center field.

Suzuki said he plans to play Trout, Adell and Lowe in center this spring, and that Trout will also play some corner outfield to allow him to evaluate his options. He appreciated that Trout didn’t demand to play center and is open to playing some corner outfield.

“We had a conversation and his preference is center field,” Suzuki said. “But at the same time, he came up to me and he said, ‘Hey, Zuk, I'll play wherever you need me. I’m comfortable left, right, center -- wherever you need me to play.’ And he kind of left it as that. So we’ll keep our options open, but he does prefer center, so we’ll take a look.”

Adell was pleased to hear Trout is healthy and wants to play center, as Adell is more comfortable in right where he was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024. He played 89 games in center and 69 in right last year, faring much better defensively in right.

“I'm glad that he's healthy and that he's back and ready to roll,” Adell said. “My thought process has been any way that I can help, wherever I need to be, that's where I’ll be. And I'm glad he's feeling right. He’s ready to go and we're excited about it. So, hopefully, that will work for us.”

Trout said he has no physical limitations this spring, as his bone bruise is fully healed. He said he felt better late in the season, especially the last week that saw him hit .333 with five homers over his final seven games after a change in his mechanics.

But Trout, who remains under contract for $37.1 million annually through 2030, said he had trouble getting insurance to play in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA. So while Trout was disappointed he couldn’t represent his country again, he said he’ll make the most of his extra camp time with the Angels.

He noted that this roster has a lot of players looking for bounce-back years such as Lowe, utilityman Vaughn Grissom, starters Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, and relievers Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano and Brent Suter. Trout believes this team is hungry and has something to prove.

He was then asked if he also fit that mold as a player looking to make a comeback and he cracked a big smile.

“Always,” Trout said. “I know what I’m capable of doing and I feel great.”