Future Hall of Famer Mike Trout has announced a significant change in his playing position. As of Monday, Trout, along with the Los Angeles Angels, has decided to transition from center field to right field to better protect his body. Since 2013, Trout has exclusively played center field and designated hitter, totaling just 17 career appearances in right field, with his last game there dating back to 2012.

“We’ve considered everything regarding what is best for my body, to keep me on the field,” Trout shared with reporters. “I’ve concluded that I will move to right field. I’m excited to try it and see how it goes. I knew a change was coming, and now I just need to acclimate to this new role. My priority is to stay active on the field.”

The Angels had floated the idea of a position change years ago, but at that time, Trout wasn’t ready to relinquish his center field spot. Last season, he struggled with injuries, including a meniscus tear that sidelined him after April 29. By September, he expressed his openness to a position switch due to ongoing injuries.

At 33 years old, Trout has participated in only 266 out of 648 potential regular season games over the past four years, which equals just 41%. He hasn’t suffered from a single recurring injury; rather, he has faced various issues each year, including calf strains, back inflammation, a broken hamate, and last season’s meniscus tear. Trout and the Angels are hopeful that this position shift will help him remain on the field more consistently.

Center field is often seen as a position for younger players due to the demanding nature of the role, which requires extensive running. The center fielder needs to cover a lot of ground, not just for themselves but also to back up left and right fielders whenever the ball is hit to those areas. This level of involvement is not as critical for left and right fielders.

Only a handful of players—Lorenzo Cain, Adam Duvall, Brett Gardner, Kevin Kiermaier, and Michael A. Taylor—have started even 50 games in center field after turning 33 within the past four seasons. Notably, only Cain, Duvall, and Kiermaier have more than 100 starts in that position during the same period, which encompasses the entirety of the four years, not just one season.

With Trout’s move to right field, Mickey Moniak emerges as the leading candidate to fill the center field role. Jo Adell also has experience in center field, although his defensive skills have been called into question. Meanwhile, Jorge Soler will continue to serve as the designated hitter, and Taylor Ward remains secured in left field. Additionally, Luis Rengifo is another versatile option for outfield duties if necessary.

Last season, Trout posted a .220/.325/.541 batting line with 10 home runs in just 29 games before his year was cut short. When healthy, he has proven to be a productive player, but unfortunately, he has struggled with injuries that have kept him sidelined. The Angels faced a challenging season, finishing with a franchise-record 99 losses in 2024, marking their ninth consecutive losing season.