The Braves need Hector Olivera to be their regular left fielder this season so manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to give him plenty of playing time throughout the spring.
Olivera played all nine innings in two of the first three Grapefruit League games and played five innings in the field during Friday’s game at the Phillies. Olivera was an infielder during eight pro seasons in Cuba and last year played third base during two minor-league stints and for 21 games with the Braves.
Olivera made the shift to left field during a brief stint in the Puerto Rican Winter League and Gonzalez plans to give him more playing time than usual for a projected regular during spring camp.
“Not to where I’m going to hurt him, leg-wise,” Gonzalez said. “He’s in great shape. The more we can run him out there and get reps, the better. Knock on wood, from what I’ve seen so far, he’s done well. He’s an athlete. He’s a big man but he runs well and he’s got good feet.”
There have been some defensive miscues in the field by Olivera early in Grapefruit League play.
In Tuesday’s opener he was late to react to a looping single that fell near the line in shallow left field and later started to run in on a line drive that flew over his head for a double. With the bases loaded during Thursday’s game Oilvera caught a deep fly ball and threw to third base; the runner was safe, and the runner at first advanced to second.
“The stuff (like) throwing to the wrong base, I’ve seen guys who’ve been in the big leagues 10, 12 years throw to the wrong base,” Gonzalez said. “That’s something we will continue working on. That might be the longest to learn because everyone wants to throw someone out and now here comes the runner taking the extra base behind them. As far as going to get balls, his breaks are fine. I feel comfortable (with him).”
Olivera is off to a good start at the plate. He’s 4-f0r-10 after going 1-for-3 against the Phillies on Friday.
