March 16--MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant looks forward to playing the outfield once his right shoulder has recovered from fatigue.
Bryant, who has seized attention in Cactus League play with six home runs and a .450 batting average, will handle the designated hitter duties Monday when the Cubs travel to Peoria to play the San Diego Padres.
Bryant, 23, hasn't played third base -- his natural position -- since Thursday. The plan for Bryant, who was the DH on Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas but didn't play Sunday, is to throw from 90 feet prior to the Cubs' trip to Peoria.
"Really, it's just taking it slow," Bryant said. "There's no need to kill myself in spring training. I'd love to be back on the field playing third base, but I'm really taking it kind of slow. It's normal fatigue."
Bryant was receptive to receiving some playing time in the outfield -- which could be his eventual position in the majors.
"I'm excited," Bryant said. "I'm a baseball player, so as long as I'm on the field playing, catching the ball, running down some fly balls, it will be fun. I played some outfield before in college (at the University of San Diego), and it was fun. I'm looking forward to another challenge.
Bryant believes he can handle the outfield, especially since there are fewer duties required than playing third base, such as knowing various bunt coverages and cutoff plays.
"I'll do what they tell me," Bryant said.
Manager Joe Maddon said Bryant is tenatively scheduled to serve as the DH on Tuesday and return to third base on Thursday.
Here's the Cubs' lineup against Padres starter Brandon Morrow:
Alcantara 3b
Coghlan lf
Castro ss
Soler rf
Bryant dh
Sweeney cf
Castillo c
Olt 1b
Valaika 2b
Lester p
