Padres' Middlebrooks, Solarte competing for starting role
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Chris Cwik
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Padres third basemen Will Middlebrooks and Yangervis Solarte are competing for the third base job this spring, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Manager Bud Black admitted third base was the "biggest" competition in camp. He said he believes both players can hack it in the majors, but was hesitant to say he would utilize them in a platoon role.
"Possibility," Black said, "but I think any player will tell you he wants to be an everyday player -- they want to play. And they’re both young, they’re both in their mid-20s. You hope it’s a tough decision at the end, but these things have a way of working themselves out."
Middlebrooks, 26, hit .191 over 215 at-bats last season. Solarte hit .260/.336/.369 over 469 at-bats.
