BRADENTON, Fla. — John Jaso will bat third and play third base Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. It marks his first game at third base in his professional career.
Jaso, 33, has experience at catcher, first base and the corner outfield spots. With switch-hitter Josh Bell expected to take the bulk of games and at-bats at first base, Jaso told the Pirates he was willing to try third this year. Considering how quickly Jaso picked up first base last year, the Pirates expect he’ll handle third just fine.
Jaso is expected to provide the Pirates with a left-handed bench bat and the defensive versatility to cover up to four positions this season. The odds of Jung Ho Kang being available for opening day are low, so Jaso could be a backup option behind David Freese, the everyday third baseman until Kang returns.
The Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays play at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at LECOM Park. The game will air on Root Sports in Pittsburgh and MLB Network out of the market.
RAYS
1. Mallex Smith CF
2. Rickie Weeks DH
3. Steven Souza RF
4. Casey Gillaspie 1B
5. Jake Bauers LF
6. Nick Franklin 2B
7. Curt Casali C
8. Daniel Robertson SS
9. Patrick Leonard 3B
RHP Alex Cobb
PIRATES
1. Adam Frazier (L) SS
2. Phil Gosselin 1B
3. John Jaso (L) 3B
4. Francisco Cervelli C
5. Jose Osuna LF
6. Danny Ortiz (L) CF
7. Eric Wood RF
8. Max Moroff (S) 2B
9. Chad Kuhl RHP
Also scheduled to pitch: Josh Lindblom, A. J. Schugel.
Note: Ivan Nova is scheduled to throw 100 pitches in a minor league game Tuesday at Pirate City.
Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.
First Published: March 21, 2017, 12:21 p.m.
