News
Hannahan gets a look at shortstop
Reserve infielder has filled many roles for new club
By Jim Street / MLB.com
08/06/09 8:06 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Reserve infielder Jack Hannahan completed his journey around the infield on Wednesday night when he replaced Jack Wilson at shortstop in the Mariners' victory over the Royals. "I have played shortstop in Spring Training and a couple of times in Double-A and Triple-A," Hannahan said Thursday night. "But anytime you can stay on the same side of the infield, the transition isn't too bad." With the Mariners holding an 11-5 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, and Wilson experiencing some minor discomfort in his right triceps area, manager Don Wakamatsu decided it was a good opportunity to play the team's primary backup middle infielder. When third baseman Adrian Beltre was activated off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, the Mariners created a roster spot for him by designating Chris Woodward for assignment. It was anticipated that Hannahan might be the one leaving because most of his playing time in the Major Leagues has been as a third baseman. Going into Thursday night's series finale against the Royals, Hannahan -- acquired from the Athletics on July 11 for Minor League pitcher Justin Souza -- had played two innings at shortstop, two innings at second, 90 innings at first base and 1,832 2/3 innings at third over the course of his career. "We made this move to be able to kind of get more creative with him," Wakamatsu said. "He has played some second, first and a lot of third, but not much short, so we were able to get him an inning or two out there [on Thursday]." Hannahan said he felt comfortable during his two-inning stint and doesn't anticipate any difficulties with learning a new position. "I have been taking a lot of ground balls over there," he said. "I didn't know what was going to happen [when Beltre returned], but I wanted to be prepared. When they sent Woody down, I was the only [backup] infielder left, so I figured I should take more pre-game ground balls as I could." As for learning a new position, he said, "It isn't a bad thing. The positions I can play the better. I make the circuit every day, taking grounders at all the infield positions, and then get my swings in. "If they need me, they'll find me." Hannahan has at least one hit in 10 of his past 14 games, going 14-for-44. He also has a two-homer game, against the Tigers on July 21.Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
