Christian Arroyo is getting a second probability to play first base. He’s hoping it goes higher than the final time.
It’s a low bar to clear. It was final July 18 when Arroyo made his first base debut on a Sunday evening in opposition to the Yankees, and he didn’t even get by means of three innings. Arroyo – a utility participant who usually performs second base – stretched at first as he caught a throw from Kiké Hernández for a groundout, and inadvertently made a break up, which triggered a hamstring harm.
Arroyo instantly left the sport and went on the injured listing for greater than a month.
This week, Arroyo will get his probability at redemption. With Trevor Story again from the IL and at second base, the Red Sox need to maintain the hot-hitting Arroyo within the lineup. With Eric Hosmer nonetheless on the IL, Arroyo will get a while again at first, the place he’ll doubtless begin on Monday when the Sox open up a sequence in opposition to the Twins in Minnesota.
“I think last year was more so kind of the heat of the moment, not really knowing my limits and just kind of being in a position that I never really played before,” Arroyo mentioned. “I’ve watched guys play it, so I form of thought it could be a kind of issues the place simply instincts would take over, however they in all probability didn’t take over the way in which I needed it to.
“I’m definitely going to try to avoid the splits and catch the ball.”
Arroyo – who mentioned he’s taken some floor balls at first base this weekend in preparation for his shift to the place – has confirmed to be a dependable defender, however the Red Sox aren’t in search of Gold Glove protection out of him.
“We feel comfortable with it, but we need him to feel comfortable, too,” supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “We’re not asking him to be Don Mattingly at first base. He’s going to play first because he’s swinging the bat well.”
Arroyo mentioned he’s not approaching his second probability at first any otherwise after what occurred final season. Though the place calls for totally different obligations and angles than he’s used to, he looks like his expertise as an infielder will profit him.
“I think that’ll just come naturally during the game,” Arroyo mentioned. “The extra you’re on the market, you get a greater really feel for when it’s good to go about that play that means. … At the tip of the day, I feel that it’s nonetheless the infield so that you’re nonetheless fielding floor balls, you continue to need to make the play at first, so the factor for me is simply going to be getting my ft again below me, attending to the bag. I’ve been working at it. Hopefully clean crusing, however attempt to be an athlete. …
“I think at the end of the day, I’m not going to overthink anything. Just go out, play, and be an athlete.”
When Arroyo takes first base this week, he could have performed 5 defensive positions for the Red Sox this week. In addition to the infield, he additionally performed 108 innings in proper discipline – a place he was requested to be taught in spring coaching. He takes satisfaction in his versatility, form of like a former Red Sox fan favourite.
“It’s really important,” Arroyo mentioned. “Obviously there was a extremely good tremendous utility man right here earlier than I used to be in Brock Holt, and even simply enjoying in opposition to him, I attempt to watch him. I used to be at all times impressed with the way in which he went about his enterprise each day, whether or not it was enjoying left, second, third, proper, brief, it’s spectacular.
“I think I have a different understanding now that I’ve had to go through it. I think at the end of the day, it’s just be athletic and make the plays. Just be a baseball player.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com