Mike Trout as a corner outfielder did not last for very long.
The Los Angeles Angels star Trout spoke with the media on Monday ahead of the beginning of Spring Training. During his media session, Trout made a big revelation — that he will be returning to center field in 2026.
Trout played in right field at times for the Angels last season. But he told reporters that the position was not comfortable for him and that he felt like it involved more running, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
Now 34 years old, Trout had an impressively healthy season in 2025 for the Angels, appearing in 130 games (his highest total since 2019). But he was still largely underwhelming overall, batting just .232 with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs.
Trout is a longtime center fielder who has made 1,332 of his 1,444 career starts (92.2 percent) in center. But the Angels shifted Trout into right field last season, in part to try and manage the wear-and-tear on his body.
That did not really matter too much in the end though as Trout made just 22 appearances in right field and spent the vast majority of his time at designated hitter instead (106 appearances). The three-time AL MVP Trout, who is still owed $185.6 million over the next five seasons, had been trending towards a return to center field over the last several months now. Now we are hearing it directly from Trout that he intends to go back to his old stomping grounds (for at least a little bit) in 2026.
