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Center Field

All articles tagged with #center field

Trout Aims to Reclaim Center Field for Angels
sports9 days ago

Trout Aims to Reclaim Center Field for Angels

Angels star Mike Trout said he intends to play center field primarily this season, with club leadership on the same page, though he’ll split time in the corners during spring training. The 34-year-old veteran, coming off a knee-related year and not appearing in center last season, argues center is less taxing and wants the bulk of his playing time there, while also DHing occasionally. His five-year, $360 million extension and durability questions remain in play as he eyes a full season health-wise.

Trout Eyes Center Field Return as Angels Consider Position Shift
sports9 days ago

Trout Eyes Center Field Return as Angels Consider Position Shift

Mike Trout indicated he would prefer to play center field again in 2026, a move he has discussed with Angels manager Kurt Suzuki. He says center field is more comfortable and less taxing on his body than DH or right field, a key consideration after a string of injuries that kept him from a full season since 2020. With Taylor Ward traded away, the Angels have outfield options like Jo Adell, Jorge Soler and Josh Lowe, but Trout’s health and performance will be crucial as the team, coming off a last-place finish in 2025, reassesses its roster.

Giants Sign Harrison Bader to 2-Year Deal, Bolstering CF Defense
sports1 month ago

Giants Sign Harrison Bader to 2-Year Deal, Bolstering CF Defense

San Francisco signs Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract (max $21 million with incentives), adding a premier defensive center fielder after a strong 2025 season (.277/.347/.449 with 17 homers in 501 PA) while the Giants’ offense may rely on defense and rotation depth; the deal keeps payroll considerations in mind as SF continues to explore other moves like second-base targets.

Beltrán and Jones usher in a new center-field era in the 2026 Hall of Fame class
sports1 month ago

Beltrán and Jones usher in a new center-field era in the 2026 Hall of Fame class

In a landmark 2026 Hall of Fame voting cycle, Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones became the first two center-fielders elected in the same year, a rare event that signals changing attitudes toward the position and the influence of a wave of new voters; Beltrán’s induction came amid the Astros sign-stealing controversy and suggests anti-cheating sentiment among many voters, while Jones surged from a minuscule first-year total to a final 78.4% with help from first-time voters. The ballot also produced big jumps for Félix Hernández, Chase Utley and Andy Pettitte, hinting at further inductions; the new-voter impact, especially from MLB.com-linked writers, reshapes the landscape, and Manny Ramírez and Ryan Braun fell short in the PED era narrative, though Alex Rodríguez remains on the ballot, suggesting the PED cloud is finally thinning but not entirely gone.

"Cardinals Reliever Middleton to Miss Opening Day with Forearm Strain"
sports1 year ago

"Cardinals Reliever Middleton to Miss Opening Day with Forearm Strain"

St. Louis Cardinals' new ace Sonny Gray is working his way back from a hamstring strain and may miss the opening series, while reliever Keynan Middleton will start the season on the IL due to a forearm strain. The team is considering bullpen options to fill Middleton's absence. Additionally, the Cardinals are undecided on their center field starter, with prospects Victor Scott II and Michael Siani in contention alongside Dylan Carlson.

The Impact of Juan Soto Trade on Aaron Judge's Move to Center Field
sports2 years ago

The Impact of Juan Soto Trade on Aaron Judge's Move to Center Field

The Yankees' acquisition of Juan Soto in a trade has raised concerns about Aaron Judge's move back to center field, a position that is physically demanding and could increase the risk of injury for the 6-foot-7, 282-pound player. While Judge is willing to play wherever needed to help the team win, the team's roster construction currently points to Soto in right field, Judge in center, and Alex Verdugo in left. The Yankees' decision to regularly use Judge in center field contrasts with other teams, like the Dodgers and Phillies, who are proactively moving their star players to less taxing positions to reduce wear and tear.

Phillies' Offense: Challenges, Trade Candidates, and Free Agency Targets
sports2 years ago

Phillies' Offense: Challenges, Trade Candidates, and Free Agency Targets

The Philadelphia Phillies' offense struggled in consecutive Octobers, with the lineup swinging at too many pitches out of the strike zone. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged the need to address this issue and expressed confidence in the team's core players. However, he stated that center fielder Johan Rojas will have to earn the everyday job and contribute offensively to secure a position on the big-league club next year. The Phillies' top priority this offseason is re-signing Aaron Nola or finding a suitable replacement for the rotation, with the goal of building a World Series-contending roster in 2024.

Julio Rodríguez's Oscar-worthy fake-out steals the show
sports2 years ago

Julio Rodríguez's Oscar-worthy fake-out steals the show

Seattle Mariners' center fielder Julio Rodríguez wowed fans and fooled everyone with a spectacular home run-robbing catch against the San Diego Padres. After making a diving catch earlier in the game, Rodríguez timed his jump perfectly at the wall and hid the ball in his glove, tricking everyone, including the announcers and the batter, Fernando Tatís Jr. The catch helped preserve Logan Gilbert's scoreless outing, as he threw seven innings of one-hit ball with 12 strikeouts, leading the Mariners to a 2-0 win and extending their winning streak to six games. This marked the second time Rodríguez has made such a catch this year, adding to his highlight-filled week that included stealing home and a strong performance at the plate.

Giants' Yastrzemski undergoes MRI for hamstring strain.
sports2 years ago

Giants' Yastrzemski undergoes MRI for hamstring strain.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski suffered a left hamstring strain while diving for a fly ball in a game against the Padres. He will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the strain, but a trip to the 10-day injured list seems likely. Brett Wisely and Austin Slater are expected to platoon in center field until Yastrzemski or Bryce Johnson return. Brandon Crawford and Sean Manaea also picked up injuries during the Giants' two-game series in Mexico City.