Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters that the team is open to playing Mike Trout in center field again after previously moving the three-time MVP to right field.
Trout, who turned 34 in August, played the first month of the 2025 season in right field. However, he exclusively served as the designated hitter after the end of April and finished the year with just 1.5 bWAR over 130 games.
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Minasian said he is “not ruling” anything out regarding the Angels’ outfield, especially after trading left fielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez last month.
“We’ll see [what] 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,” Minasian said, adding that manager Kurt Suzuki will make the final decision. “[Trout] might be playing center. One day might be playing left. One day might be DHing.”
Los Angeles Angels veteran Mike Trout played right field to begin the 2025 seasonJoe Puetz-Imagn Images
Trout moving back to the outfield could allow Jorge Soler to see more regular action at designated hitter. Soler, a 2023 All-Star selection with the Miami Marlins, posted a .680 OPS and minus-0.5 bWAR in 82 games for the Angels last season.
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Bryce Teodosio started 50 games for the Angels in center field. Jo Adell split the 2025 season between center field (89 games) and right field (69 games). Matthew Lugo, who made his MLB debut last May, played all three outfield spots in 31 games with the big-league club.
“When Mike is healthy, he can play the outfield at a high level,” Minasian said. “So he’s feeling good. He’s motivated to play the outfield.”
What to Know About Mike Trout and the 2026 Los Angeles Angels
Trout has five seasons remaining on the 12-year, $462.5 million extension he signed in March 2019, all with a guaranteed $37.1 million salary. Last season marked his worst since becoming a full-time big leaguer in 2012, and his 32.0% strikeout rate was significantly higher than his career 23.1% mark.
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The Angels and Trout appear likely to remain paired for the foreseeable future. There is no indication that the Angels are exploring a trade, nor have there been any credible reports that Trout has asked to be dealt. Trout has been with the organization since being selected No. 25 in 2009.
Unfortunately for Trout, the odds remain stacked against him finally returning to the postseason in 2025. The FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Angels at +25000 odds (bet $100 to win $25,100) to win the World Series as of Thursday, December 18, 2025. Only the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Nationals — all listed at +50000 — have longer odds.
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The Angels have not played a postseason game since 2014, which remains the only time the club has reached the playoffs since Trout debuted in 2011.
Trout and the Angels open the 2026 season on Thursday, March 26, against the AL West rival Houston Astros.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.