No plans to start Alonso

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Chris Heisey will play most of the time in left field, which means Yonder Alonso mostly will come off the bench.
Alonso was called up Tuesday night when Jonny Gomes was traded to Washington, and Alonso arrived in the Reds clubhouse around the fifth inning Tuesday. Shortly thereafter, Alonso stroked a pinch-hit double.

Naturally, Reds fans on Twitter pleaded for Alonso to start in left field Wednesday night. Heisey started.

"Everybody can't play left field," Baker said. "Everybody was hollering for Heisey and now everybody wants Yonder to play. ... We know (Alonso) can hit, but right now probably most of the time is going to go to Heisey."

Alonso admittedly is no Usain Bolt and is more suited to first base, but reigning NL MVP Joey Votto is the Reds' first baseman. Alonso therefore played mostly left field at Triple-A Louisville this year, as the Reds seek ways to get his bat into the lineup long-term.

"Yonder is more of a first baseman than he is a left fielder," Baker said. "Speed is the question, and range, and so we'll see how it works out. We're trying to win ballgames."

Alonso, the Reds' No. 1 draftee in June 2008, was called up Sept. 1 last year. In 29 at-bats he hit .207, with no homers and three RBI.
This year Alonso was hitting .296 with 12 homers and 56 RBI at Louisville.

Alonso graciously accepted the move to left field.

"Every day it gets a little easier," he said. "I've just got to come out here and work as much as possible."

Alonso did not make an error and had three assists in 62 appearances as an outfielder for Louisville this season.

His only two errors were at first base, where he played 21 games.

Louisville manager Rick Sweet, in a recent interview, said Alonso was a willing pupil in left field.

"His jumps and routes are good," Sweet said. "He just doesn't have a lot of range, it's that simple. For his ability he's solid, but he just lacks that speed that you like to have there. But he's done a good job, he's thrown people out, and I've been impressed with his instincts."

At first base, Votto has started all but two games this year.

"Joey's the first baseman, we all know that," Alonso said. "I've just got to take care of myself, make sure I'm ready to play every single day and help the team out."

With Votto anchored at first, Alonso also is mentioned frequently in trade rumors.

"Half the time it's just all gossip," Alonso said. "You try not to listen to it. I think earlier in my career I listened to every little thing, but now I couldn't care less. I want to be here."


(cincinnati.com)