NewsPadres plan to find at-bats for Blanks
Rookie slugger to play left, occasionally fill in at first
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
06/29/09 10:15 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Interleague Play is over, though that doesn't mean the Padres have seen the last of rookie Kyle Blanks, who still figures to see playing time even though he will not be a designated hitter again anytime soon.San Diego manager Bud Black said Blanks -- who had two hits in each of his past two games -- will continue to see time in left field and might even spell Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez on occasion.
Blanks, who wasn't in the lineup Monday against Houston, is hitting .250 in his first 24 Major League at-bats after going a combined 4-for-8 combined with two doubles and three RBIs in Saturday and Sunday's victories over the Rangers.
But now that the Padres have lost the luxury of having a DH in Interleague Play, Blanks is back to playing the outfield and some first base. Black didn't outline a specific plan as to how he'll use Blanks, only saying he'll play.
"He'll get his starts. I think you're going to see maybe some guys have a day off. He's going to start and some other guys aren't going to start," Black said. "[Chase] Headley, [Scott] Hairston, [Kevin] Kouzmanoff, [Tony] Gwynn, these guys aren't going to play every single game of the year."
Starting Monday, the Padres play 14 consecutive games before the All-Star break. That will give Black the chance to give Blanks a start or two at first base, possibly against a tough left-handed pitcher or right before the break, especially since Gonzalez's chances of playing in his second All-Star Game in as many years figures to be good.
The Padres could also start Blanks in left field, where he's made three starts this season. Or, if Kouzmanoff gets a night off at third base, Headley could move to third base and give Blanks time in left.
"I thought at times he sort of looked like what we saw at Spring Training, an extension of Spring Training. I thought his overall at-bats were good," Black said. "He didn't seem to be pressing, anxious. I'm sure with any young player there will be some nervousness.
"So far he's done a good job, with the small sample size that we've seen him."
As for the 22-year-old Blanks, he's not picky of where or when he plays. He'll leave that up to the manager.
"Whenever, wherever -- it's not up to me," Blanks said. "Anywhere that I can play is fine with me."
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
