Russell Martin's versatility will be tested once again Monday.
The veteran catcher - who made his first career start at shortstop Saturday in Philadelphia - will try his hand at another new position Monday, as the 35-year-old will play left field in his club's Memorial Day matinee against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He hasn't played the position in 13 years in the big leagues, and logged just one cumulative inning in left during his minor-league career.
With Martin in left, Luke Maile will start behind the plate for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Opener on this #MemorialDay #BlueJays #RedSox pic.twitter.com/oitUkSpj5j
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) May 28, 2018
Martin's unexpected defensive assignment gets another right-handed bat into the lineup against Red Sox left-hander David Price, who has held same-handed hitters to a .553 OPS this season. (Curtis Granderson and Dwight Smith Jr., both left-handed hitters, struggle against southpaws, and the switch-hitting Dalton Pompey was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.)
Following Monday's series opener, Martin - who has also started three games at third base this season - will have logged at least one career appearance at every defensive position except first base, center field, and pitcher.
