Will Middlebrooks, Yangervis Solarte still battling for Padres' 3B job
Padres manager Bud Black declared that the third base job is "still open".
Will Middlebrooks has started more games at the hot corner, but Yangervis Solarte is still a candidate to win the job, Black said, per UT San Diego's Dennis Lin.
The Padres acquired the 26-year-old Middlebrooks from the Red Sox in a December trade. He's hitting .333, with two home runs and five RBI in 10 games this spring. He's started all 10 at third base and also played third in a split-squad game.
The 27-year-old Solarte was acquired in a trade with the Yankees last July. He's also hitting .333 this spring. Solarte has six starts at third base and three each at second base and first base.
"The beauty of Solarte is that he’s able to move all over the field," Black said, "and we’ve moved him all over the field. That doesn’t discount the fact that he’s still vying for the spot at third base."
