Baltimore Orioles veteran Adam Jones will move to right field, with prospect Cedric Mullins taking his spot in center field, the team announced Friday.
Jones has spent the last 11 seasons as the Orioles' primary center fielder since being traded from the Seattle Mariners in 2008.
The 33-year-old is hitting .281/.310/.430 with 12 home runs in 108 games this season.
Jones was the subject of trade rumors ahead of the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Unlike many of his former teammates, including All-Stars Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, Jones remained in Baltimore with the team entering a rebuild.
Shortly before the positional change was officially announced by the team, the four-time Gold Glove winner tweeted his support of the move.
End of an Era!!!! Embrace Change!!!!
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) August 10, 2018
Mullins, the Orioles' No. 9 prospect, will hit ninth and play center field Friday against the visiting Boston Red Sox.
Between 108 games at Double-A and Triple-A this season, Mullins is slashing .288/.346/.465 with 11 homers and 21 stolen bases.
The 23-year-old was greeted by Jones with a hug when he entered the Orioles' clubhouse Friday, according to Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun.
"Coming from a guy with 10 years under his belt, being a huge veteran, a huge team leader for all these years, being in direct contact with him for a huge moment in both of our careers, it's been amazing. ... He's been very supportive with me playing center field," Mullins said. "We've had a lot of contact about it, with him just kind of guiding me through that process."
