ANAHEIM -- While the Angels moved superstar Mike Trout from center field to right field in an effort to keep him healthy last season, they’re open to him playing some center field again in 2026.
Trout played in 130 games, his most since 2019 when he won his third AL MVP Award, but only 22 of those came in right field before he sustained a bone bruise to his surgically repaired left knee while stepping on the first-base bag in late April. He missed exactly a month with the injury but never returned to the outfield, serving only as designated hitter the rest of the season.
The Angels lack a true everyday center fielder on their roster, and they could use a combination of players such as Bryce Teodosio, Jo Adell and Trout there until No. 7 prospect Nelson Rada is ready for the Majors. But they’re also in the market for a center fielder via free agency or trade. General manager Perry Minasian said he’s keeping his options open, which includes Trout seeing time at all three outfield positions.
“I'm not ruling anything out,” Minasian said. “We'll see where the team looks like when we get to Spring Training and what’s in place and what gives us the best chance to win games. Might be playing center. One day might be playing left. One day might be DHing. I don’t know.”
Trout, 34, has been able to have a normal offseason coming off his bone bruise. Minasian said Trout is excited about getting to play the outfield again after being relegated to DH duty for 106 games last year.
If Trout can play more outfield this season, it would also allow the Angels to use Jorge Soler more at DH, which is his best fit on the roster and his preferred position. Soler had to play more outfield than he was accustomed to and missed the final 60 games of the year with a back injury he believed came from playing too much in the field.
“They’re both doing great and doing their normal offseason routine and feeling good,” Minasian said. “When Mike is healthy, he can play the outfield at a high level. So he's feeling good. He’s motivated to play the outfield. To what degree he does that? We’ll see what the roster looks like and it’ll also be [manager Kurt Suzuki’s] decision.”
Trout, though, is also looking to bounce back offensively. The 11-time All-Star wasn’t selected for the Midsummer Classic last year as he slashed .232/.359/.439 with 26 homers, 14 doubles and 64 RBIs.
Making contact was a major issue for Trout, who struck out in a career-high 32 percent of his plate appearances, which was much higher than his career average of 23.1 percent and the league average of 22.2 percent. But Trout tweaked his swing mechanics at the end of the season and hit five homers over his last seven games to give himself some confidence that he can be more like his old self. Minasian also noted Trout dealt with the pressure that comes reaching a major milestone like 400 career homers.
“He didn't have the year he wanted to have, he'd be the first one to tell you that,” Minasian said. “He knew he was close to 400 home runs. And I'm not saying that added to maybe him not having the year he had [wanted]. But sometimes, when you have those things staring you in the face every day, you put a little more pressure on yourself. Once he got to that mark and he made the adjustment, I think we saw what his capabilities are.”
Given his injury history in recent years, it’s unrealistic to think Trout will see too much action in center next season, but he at least gives them an option. The Angels are monitoring the center-field market, though finding another starter, relief help and a third baseman/second baseman appear to be bigger priorities.
“Probably the best way to put it, do we have to go get a center fielder? Not necessarily,” Minasian said. “We have some players that we believe can fill the position and obviously, Teodosio can play defense at a very high level. It’s more player-specific. Does this guy fit? Does he change our team? Does he help us on both sides of the ball? That type of thing. Does it improve our depth? So is it a must? I wouldn't say it's a must, but is it an area we're looking at? Absolutely.”