Morning Briefing: Mike Trout Moving to Right Field

Good morning, Mets fans!

Three-time MVP Mike Trout told reporters Monday that he met with the Angels’ coaches on Sunday and determined that he will play right field moving forward to help preserve his body. Trout played in just 29 games in 2024 before landing on the injured list with a torn meniscus. He then tore the muscle again during a rehab assignment, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Trout remains among the game’s elites when he’s healthy, but 2024 was the fourth straight season Trout has missed significant time due to injury, and he’s played over 100 games just once since 2020.

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It was revealed Monday that Frankie Montas has a high-grade lat strain and will be shut down for six to eight weeks. Montas will then need to go through a full spring training cycle before returning to a big league mound. The right-hander signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Mets back in December.

Speaking to the media for the first time since re-signing with the Mets, Pete Alonso said he’s excited to return to New York and hopes to finish what the team started in 2024. Alonso said he appreciated that Steve Cohen was willing to meet with him in person and that his teammates played a role in his decision.

Drew Smith said Monday that he and the Mets came to an understanding around Christmas Eve that he would be re-signing with the team. Smith said pitching in 2025 would be the best-case scenario for him.

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Giancarlo Stanton said Monday that he is dealing with a “very high” level of pain in both elbows and hasn’t swung a bat in close to a month. Stanton added that he is unsure if he will be ready for Opening Day.

Dominic Smith has reported to Yankees camp and is looking forward to reconnecting with Luis Rojas, Pat Roessler, and Omar Minaya. Smith also said that he is very excited about his swing entering the season.

The A’s have agreed to a three-year extension with manager Mark Kotsay. In 2024, the A’s showed progress by playing .500 ball in the second half of the season, improving by 19 games from 2023.

Rafael Devers told reporters that he doesn’t want to give up playing third base to become a designated hitter. The Red Sox recently signed 2024 Gold Glover Alex Bregman to a three-year contract and have top prospect Kristian Campbell waiting in the wings.

The Guardians have agreed to a one-year contract with left-hander John Means. The deal includes a club option for 2026. Means will spend most of 2025 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

The Royals have agreed to a contract extension through 2030 with general manager J.J. Picollo. The contract includes a club option for 2031. Picollo took over the role after Dayton Moore was dismissed in 2022, and since has been responsible for signing Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, as well as negotiating an extension for Bobby Witt Jr.

The Blue Jays have signed veteran righty Jacob Barnes to a minor-league contract. Barnes appeared in 63 games for the Nationals in 2024, posting a 4.36 ERA with 55 strikeouts against 20 walks in 66 innings.

The Cubs and right-hander Chris Flexen have agreed to a minor-league contract, pending a physical. The 30-year-old spent 2024 with the White Sox, posting a 4.95 ERA with 123 strikeouts over 160 innings.