Mike Trout is ready to contemplating a position change after missing 370 games over the last four seasons.
The Angels’ slugger and three-time American League MVP said before Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox that “everything’s on the table” when he talks with the team over the offseason. This involves switching to a corner outfield position or playing more games as a designated hitter.
“Ultimately, my goal is to be in that batter’s box, on the field every single day,” said Trout, who talked with media for the first time in over two months. “Whether it’s going to a corner or DHing more, I’ll leave it to the front office to devise a strategy. Given where I am and what has happened in the last four years, I will surely attempt to pursue every opportunity that will keep me out there.”
Trout has only appeared in 266 games since the beginning of the 2021 season. He appeared in 29 games this season before an MRI revealed he had a damaged meniscus in his left knee. Trout underwent surgery on May 3.
He was set to return in late July before experiencing difficulty on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake. An MRI study later revealed a second rupture above the first, and he underwent season-ending surgery on August 7 – his 33rd birthday.
Trout stated that he did not know when both injuries occurred.
He appeared in 36 games during the 2021 season due to an injured calf. He missed five weeks of action in 2022 due to a back issue, but he did play in 119 games overall.
Trout shattered a bone in his hand on a foul ball during a game in San Diego last July 3. He attempted to return in August, but only appeared in one game and finished with 82.
Throughout his 14-year career, Trout has made 1,332 out of 1,502 starts in center field. He has only played 90 games on the outfield corners (77 left, 13 right) and 80 as DH. He has a career.299 hitting average, but only.214 as a designated hitter.
“I know I have a certain number of years left on my contract, and I understood when I signed it that I’d eventually end up in a corner. But is it next year? I do not know. But we’ll talk,” added Trout, whose $426.5 million contract continues until 2030.
Trout stated that he has resumed hitting and is doing some agility drills. He hopes to have a regular offseason training regimen.
Trout led the majors with ten home runs at the time of his injury. He was batting.220 with 14 RBI and six stolen bases.
“I felt confident in where I was, how I was training and how I was working out during the season,” Trout told reporters. “Coming into spring, I felt great. So there will probably be some discussions about things I can improve on.”
