Chris Assenheimer
The Chronicle-Telegram
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Carlos Santana overcame knee surgery to make it back for the first exhibition game. His next challenge is learning a new position.
Santana, the Indians’ promising young catcher, made his spring debut at first base Wednesday in a 9-2 loss to the split-squad Padres at Goodyear Ballpark.
As the Indians search for ways to keep Santana’s bat in the lineup and to alleviate some of the rigors of catching on a fulltime basis, it’s a spot he is expected to occupy at various times during the regular season.
“He will play first base during the season,” Manny Acta said emphatically.
Acta said Santana, who hit .260 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 46 games of his debut last season before sustaining a season-ending injury, will play at least three games at first base this spring.
Prior to the first one Wednesday, Santana, 25, wasn’t sure how he would feel in his new surroundings.
“I don’t know now,” he said. “After the game I can talk to you.”
If there was trepidation, it wasn’t evident on the field, where Santana played six innings at first base without incident. He had nine total chances, three on ground balls to him. He went 1-for-2 at the plate with a double and a run.
“He looked good, man,” Acta said. “It’s only a game but he looked comfortable and made some good plays. I felt like he did very well for just a game.”
Santana has made his living as a catcher but he did begin his career as a third baseman in the Dodgers organization. He thinks his time at third base will assist him in his conversion across the diamond.
“I played third base. I’ll be fine,” said Santana, who is batting .250 (3-for-12) in six exhibition games, and has had no setbacks with his left knee. “It makes me remember three years ago when I played third base.”
To help with the relocation project, the Indians have enlisted special advisor and former manager, Mike Hargrove, as well as special assistant to baseball operations and former Cleveland player, Eduardo Perez, to work with Santana this spring. Both spent the majority of their big league careers at first base.
Perez likes what he has seen from Santana thus far.
“I like his footwork and he’s got good instincts,” Perez said. “He’s an athlete. He’s gifted. He can play any position.
“It’s a great option to have. He’s always focused. He knows what he has to do.”
What Santana has to do is learn a new position in just his second year on the big league level without a full season under his belt. And he has to learn it well enough that he is not a defensive liability.
Despite favoring catching, it’s a challenge the Dominican Republic native seems open to undertaking.
“I love to catch, but if the manager puts me at first base, I will play there,” Santana said. “I’ll play anywhere to keep me in the lineup. I like to play anywhere.”
The Indians are hoping Santana still feels the same way at the end of spring training.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
