According to Terry Collins, Justin Turner will work out in the outfield twice per week in hopes to become more of a versatile player. Turner performed a few outfield drills during workouts this morning, and has no problem with Collins using him there.
"It's fine - whatever it takes to get more at-bats," Turner said. However, he has never played a game in the outfield throughout his Major League career.
I'm not really crazy about putting Turner out in the outfield because Collins is going to need to build his team around solid defense -- something that Turner wouldn't be able to provide if he was put out in the outfield. Being an outfielder isn't something that can be taught just like that and, with that being said, I expect Turner to get the bulk of his playing time as an infielder, specifically a second baseman.
Turner has really surprised us with his timely hitting over the past two years, and I have no problem with him making the team as a bench player. However, his bat just simply isn't threatening enough to give him the everyday job in a position like right or left field.
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