HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Three and a half hours before his fourth Major League start at first base, Yainer Diaz was put through an extensive workout at the position by Astros bench coach Joe Espada.
"We go out there at least four times a week," Espada told SportsRadio 610. "Days that he's not catching, day's that he's DH'ing. Gives me an opportunity to work with him some at first base."
With Espada observing, Diaz will take ground balls from Astros first base coach Omar Lopez in foul territory, and then they'll move to the field where Diaz will work on just about every aspect of the position. He'll field ground balls, he'll work digging out throws, and then he'll charge balls and make throws to second base.
"I'm just pretty much trying to get him some work and get his feet moving," Espada said. "Talk to him about situations, talk to him about responsibilities at first base. Just trying to cover as much ground as I can with that window that we have together."
Diaz started 46 games at first base prior to making his Major League debut last September, but he had played just 27 innings at first base in the big leagues, and he had played just one inning there since a June 11 start in Cleveland. Espada believes Diaz has the tools to handle the position, he just needs the reps.
"I think once you put him out there he starts figuring some stuff out. We've seen that on behind the plate, the more he gets out there, the more you start learning the position, getting a feel for what's going on, and that's exactly what we're trying to do with him at first base."
Before Friday's game against the Mariners, Jon Singleton had started every game at first base since Jose Abreu landed on the IL last weekend, and while Espada said the decision to Diaz more playing time at that spot was in the hands of manager Dusty Baker, the Astros bench coach said he believes Diaz is ready for more playing time.
"I think he's athletic enough. I think he's smart enough to to make the plays that we expect him to make."