Tempe, Ariz. -- On Monday, it was reported that Mike Trout is expected to move back to his natural position in center field after spending much of last season in right field and at designated hitter, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian and manager Kurt Suzuki are both supportive of the move back to center field.
“Mike feels comfortable in center,” Suzuki said. “A guy like Mike is a team-first player. I expect that and appreciate it. We talked, and I want him to have fun.”
After a season in which Trout stayed relatively healthy for the first time since 2022, the defensive alignment may look different, but his availability was a significant development following several injury-plagued years.
In 2025, Trout, 34, appeared in 130 games, his highest total since 2022, when he played in 119. Although he did not fully match his peak production, Trout still performed as an above-average hitter, posting a 121 OPS+. While his MVP-level seasons may be in the past, his ability to stay on the field remains the most important factor for the Angels.
Much of that availability came in a different role. After battling injuries in recent seasons, Trout appeared primarily at designated hitter, logging 106 of his 130 games in the DH spot.
Mike Trout back in center field at Angels camp 👀 pic.twitter.com/0gIpfGuuZm
— MLB (@MLB) February 18, 2026
“He likes to play the field,” Suzuki said. “For a guy who’s played the field his whole career, [being a] DH is tough.”
If Trout emerges from Spring Training as the Angels’ primary center fielder, it would represent a defensive upgrade over Jo Adell, who handled the position for most of last season.
According to Baseball Savant, Adell posted minus-12 Outs Above Average, ranking among the league’s lower defensive marks. Even if Trout is no longer the elite athlete he once was, his experience and instincts could stabilize the position.
A return to center would also reshape the Angels’ outfield alignment. Adell and Josh Lowe would likely see most of their time in the corners, while Jorge Soler would remain primarily in the DH role. Trout would still receive periodic DH days for maintenance, with Soler shifting to the outfield when needed.
Defensively, Bryce Teodosio profiles as the strongest glove on the roster but has produced limited offense, while Jose Siri is in camp on a minor league deal as another defense-first depth option.
Trout has five seasons remaining on his 12-year, $360 million extension and is set to earn $35.45 million annually from 2026 through 2030.