Polanco makes spring debut at third base
MESA, Ariz. – The long drive to Mesa (at least by Cactus League standards) was well worth it for Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco.
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Polanco, who had been DH-ing in his first few spring training games, got to play his new position of third base on Saturday for the first time this year. For good measure, he also recorded his first hit of the spring with a two-run home run to right-center.
So, which was the better first?
“In spring training, they are both very much the same,” Polanco said after the Mariners’ 9-8 loss to the Chicago Cubs. “I have been working hard trying to get out there and play, and it felt good to be back.”
The bat is certainly important to the Mariners. But with the clock ticking toward opening day, Polanco at third base was likely the better sight with just 14 opportunities remaining to get game action at a position he has played just 23 times in the big leagues.
“I probably was a little bit too quick,” Polanco said of his first outing at third. “I’ve got to slow everything down a little bit. But today is the first day of me playing back there. I think I just have got to get used to it, get in my reps. The key is working on it. It’s going to be fine.”
