Mike Trout might be headed back to his natural position.
Trout, 34, told reporters Monday that he wants to play center field again. Trout and Angels first-year manager Kurt Suzuki have "already had a good conversation" about the potential move, according to MLB.com.
Trout said that he's more comfortable in center, and playing the position is easier on his body than right field, ESPN's Alden Gonzalez added .
Mike Trout hasn't played a complete season since the shortened 2020 campaign. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Gonzalez said that Trout also "hates "DHing," where he spent 106 games in 2025 along with 22 in right field, a decision he and the team made before the season .
In recent years, Trout has been relegated to those spots — or the Injured List — often. Trout's waning health certainly plays a factor into wanting to move back to his old stomping grounds.
Trout hasn't played over 130 games in a season since 2019 due to numerous lengthy injuries. That included a season-ending meniscus tear in 2024 and a fractured hamate bone in 2023 that saw him miss 89 games. He was also diagnosed with a rare back condition in 2022.
He played his most games since that 2019 campaign in 2025, yet his production wasn't at the level it's typically been. Trout finished with 26 homers and 64 RBIs, but he slashed .232/.359/.439, a far cry from the three MVP awards and 11 All-Star selections he collected earlier in his career.
With Mike Trout's numerous Injured List AP
Whether Trout actually does play center field is still unclear. The Angels did ship off Taylor Ward to Baltimore in the offseason, opening up a potential outfield spot for Trout.
Jo Adell, Jorge Soler and Josh Lowe are the other options currently on Los Angeles' roster. Adell played center for much of last year, but he was underwhelming defensively, which also boons Trout's case.
The Angels certainly could use Trout's normal production back as well. But it might not matter. Even with Trout, they've only made the postseason once in his career in 2014, coincidentally the last time Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth. It's the longest current drought in the majors.
Last year, the Angels finished 72-90, in last place in the American League West for the second straight year.
With Ron Washington missing most of last season after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery, they hired first-time coach Suzuki as their new manager. Suzuki spent his last two MLB seasons as a backup catcher with Los Angeles in 2021 and 2022.
Suzuki's going to need the best version of Trout if he wants to contend in 2026. Maybe a switch to center could be just what he needs.
