NEW YORK – César Hernández, as a rookie for the Phillies in September 2013, played 22 games in center field. He would switch to the infield full-time the following year, and he’s remained there ever since, establishing himself for nearly a decade as a reliable big league second baseman.
Tonight, Hernández will take the field for the Nationals, and for the first time in nine years he’ll head straight to the outfield, serving as the left fielder for the first time in his career.
“I know he’s not bad out there,” manager Davey Martinez said. “I’ve seen him play before. He’s taken some fly balls, and he moves well.”
What prompted that kind of dramatic position switch at this point in the season and at this point in Hernández’s career?
It begins with Nelson Cruz fouling a ball off his right knee during Friday night’s loss to the Mets. The 42-year-old is improving but isn’t able to start tonight, leaving the DH position open.