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Alfonso Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein.
Nice start by the Washington Nationals' reluctant left fielder.
Soriano agreed to take his new spot in the outfield for an exhibition game Wednesday, two days after refusing to move from second base.
"It's a relief for everybody, it really is," manager Frank Robinson said before the Nationals played the St. Louis Cardinals.
"We get the distractions away from here and we can focus on baseball now and getting this ballclub tuned up and ready to go for opening day," he said.
Soriano did not comment before the game. He was all smiles as players stretched and took batting practice, and he also signed several autographs.
Soriano was an AL All-Star the last four years at second base, and played there this spring for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He has never played the outfield in a major league game.
The Nationals got Soriano in an offseason trade, with Texas and general manager Jim Bowden and Robinson have been trying to persuade him to switch positions since then. Washington already has an established second baseman, three-time All-Star Jose Vidro.
Robinson said he considered the position move permanent, saying he doesn't even consider Soriano the backup at second base.
"We're doing it for the season," Robinson said. "We didn't ask him to do it for today, that's not the answer we wanted."
Soriano flied out to lead off against the Cardinals. He later doubled and scored the Nationals' first run in the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Soriano made the play to double off Eckstein, who wandered far from the bag.
Soriano had been scheduled to make his first spring appearance on Monday night against the Dodgers. But after being listed on the lineup card in left field, he refused to play.
Bowden had threatened to put Soriano on the disqualified list, which would prevent him from playing, accruing service time and receiving his $10 million salary.
Bowden said he'd explore a trade if it would benefit the Nationals.
"My preference would be to keep him, you're a much better team with him," Bowden said. "But I'll never close the door -- ever -- on an opportunity to make everybody happy."
Robinson said he gave Soriano the option of not playing Wednesday and making his outfield debut on Thursday for a home game. But he said Soriano wanted to get started now.
"All I wanted to know from him was, was he willing to play left field," Robinson said. "He said he was ready to go, he wanted to get at-bats and get out there and play."
Robinson said he'd be patient with Soriano if he struggles at his new position. All he wanted to see was effort.
"Just knowing him for a brief period of time I feel like he's going to go out there and give it 110 percent," Robinson said. "We're not talking about a Gold Glove or anything like that, just go out there and do the best you possibly can."
Robinson said Soriano never really took a "defiant" stand in conversations with the team. He said it just took time for the team's desire to sink in.
"I told him you have to understand our side of it, and I think now he does," Robinson said. "It makes us a much better ballclub."
Despite the chaos, Bowden said he does not regret making the trade.
"The risk is always there," Bowden said. "When I made the Ken Griffey Jr. trade with Cincinnati, everyone said this was one of the best trades in baseball, congratulations, and he was hurt for four years and it was a horrible trade.
"That's part of the game."
Source: AP
Nice start by the Washington Nationals' reluctant left fielder.
Soriano agreed to take his new spot in the outfield for an exhibition game Wednesday, two days after refusing to move from second base.
"It's a relief for everybody, it really is," manager Frank Robinson said before the Nationals played the St. Louis Cardinals.
"We get the distractions away from here and we can focus on baseball now and getting this ballclub tuned up and ready to go for opening day," he said.
Soriano did not comment before the game. He was all smiles as players stretched and took batting practice, and he also signed several autographs.
Soriano was an AL All-Star the last four years at second base, and played there this spring for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He has never played the outfield in a major league game.
The Nationals got Soriano in an offseason trade, with Texas and general manager Jim Bowden and Robinson have been trying to persuade him to switch positions since then. Washington already has an established second baseman, three-time All-Star Jose Vidro.
Robinson said he considered the position move permanent, saying he doesn't even consider Soriano the backup at second base.
"We're doing it for the season," Robinson said. "We didn't ask him to do it for today, that's not the answer we wanted."
Soriano flied out to lead off against the Cardinals. He later doubled and scored the Nationals' first run in the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Soriano made the play to double off Eckstein, who wandered far from the bag.
Soriano had been scheduled to make his first spring appearance on Monday night against the Dodgers. But after being listed on the lineup card in left field, he refused to play.
Bowden had threatened to put Soriano on the disqualified list, which would prevent him from playing, accruing service time and receiving his $10 million salary.
Bowden said he'd explore a trade if it would benefit the Nationals.
"My preference would be to keep him, you're a much better team with him," Bowden said. "But I'll never close the door -- ever -- on an opportunity to make everybody happy."
Robinson said he gave Soriano the option of not playing Wednesday and making his outfield debut on Thursday for a home game. But he said Soriano wanted to get started now.
"All I wanted to know from him was, was he willing to play left field," Robinson said. "He said he was ready to go, he wanted to get at-bats and get out there and play."
Robinson said he'd be patient with Soriano if he struggles at his new position. All he wanted to see was effort.
"Just knowing him for a brief period of time I feel like he's going to go out there and give it 110 percent," Robinson said. "We're not talking about a Gold Glove or anything like that, just go out there and do the best you possibly can."
Robinson said Soriano never really took a "defiant" stand in conversations with the team. He said it just took time for the team's desire to sink in.
"I told him you have to understand our side of it, and I think now he does," Robinson said. "It makes us a much better ballclub."
Despite the chaos, Bowden said he does not regret making the trade.
"The risk is always there," Bowden said. "When I made the Ken Griffey Jr. trade with Cincinnati, everyone said this was one of the best trades in baseball, congratulations, and he was hurt for four years and it was a horrible trade.
"That's part of the game."
Source: AP