Trout says move away from CF possible next year
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is open to discussing a position change after he has missed 370 games during the past four seasons.
The Los Angeles Angels slugger and three-time American League MVP said before Monday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox that “everything’s on the table” when he meets with the team during the offseason. That includes moving to a corner outfield spot or more games as a designated hitter.
“Ultimately, my goal is to be in that batter’s box, in the field, every single day,” said Trout, who spoke to reporters for the first time in nearly two months. “Whether that’s moving to a corner or DHing more, that’s something that I’ll leave it up to the front office to come up with a plan. Where I’m at and what’s happened the last few years, I’m definitely going to try to explore every option that can keep me out there.”
Trout has played in only 266 games since the start of the 2021 season. He saw action in 29 games this season before an MRI confirmed he had a torn meniscus in his left knee. The three-time AL MVP had surgery on May 3.
He was on track to return in late July before he felt discomfort during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake. An MRI later determined there was a new tear above the first one, and he had season-ending surgery on Aug. 7 — his 33rd birthday.
Trout said he didn’t know when either injury occurred.
He played in 36 games during the 2021 season due to a strained calf. In 2022, he was sidelined for five weeks with a back injury but did see action in 119 games.
Last year, Trout broke a bone in a hand on a foul ball during a game at the San Diego Padres on July 3. He tried to return in August but played in only one game and finished with 82.
Trout has made 1,332 of 1,502 starts in center field during a 14-year career. He has only 90 games in the outfield corners (77 left, 13 right) and 80 at DH. He has a career .299 batting average but only .214 as the DH.
“I know I have a certain amount of years on my deal, and I knew when I signed my contract, I’d eventually move to a corner. But is it next year? I don’t know. But we’ll have conversations,” said Trout, whose $426.5 million contract runs through 2030.
Trout said he has resumed hitting and is doing some agility drills. He hopes to have a normal offseason training program.
Trout led the majors with 10 home runs at the time of the injury. He was batting .220 with 14 RBIs 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 said. “Coming into spring, I felt really good. So, there’s definitely going to be some conversations on things that I can improve on.”
Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.
“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”
Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.
The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.
Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.
“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.
McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.
“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”
McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.
“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.
McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.
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