Ortiz on playing 1B: 'I don'€™t want to be playing out there'

David Ortiz is hoping his stint as the Boston Red Sox's first baseman proves to be temporary.

"Hopefully not many," Ortiz told reporters when asked how many more games he expects to play in the field.

Ortiz finds himself back at first base for the second time in three games on Wednesday after having not played the position in an AL ballpark since 2006.

With Mike Napoli relegated to the bench and manager John Farrell wanting to get outfielders Alejandro De Aza and Shane Victorino in the lineup, left fielder Hanley Ramirez has been moved to the DH spot, forcing Ortiz back in the field.

Ortiz managed to avoid recording a single putout during his start at first base on Monday – the first time in franchise history that the Red Sox did not have their first baseman record a putout. For the 39-year-old Ortiz, that was all well and good as he doesn't want to be on the field to begin with.

"To play defense you have to prepare yourself," Ortiz said. "I don€'t know how this is going to go. I don'€™t know how this is going to play out. Tomorrow we have a day off and I agreed to play first base today.

"But if they plan on putting me out there more I have to sit down and talk to them about it because I don'€™t want to be playing out there, not being prepared to play out there, and now all of a sudden I end up getting injured and I lose it all. I have to sit down and talk to them to see what their plan is and go from there because I'€™m not a first baseman overall."