As the White Sox designated hitter, Yonder Alonso plays every position from the dugout.
Sometimes, he imagines that he is standing in center field before the next pitch. Other times, he pretends to peer in at the plate from shortstop. And of course his mind visits first base, where he has spent the bulk of his 10-year career.
“That’s what I try to do, I try to mentally play defense,” Alonso said. “I watch the outfielders, I watch the infielders and I watch the game and try to pick up anything that I can to help my teammates out.”
Alonso is adjusting to his first season as a primary designated hitter. He started only three games at DH in his first nine seasons in the majors – a span of 951 games overall. This season, he has made 36 starts at DH, including Friday against the Indians, in addition to making 17 starts at first base.
The 32-year-old has struggled at the plate but said he is feeling more comfortable. He likes playing defense but emphasized that he will fill any role to help the team.
“It’s just a totally new position,” Alonso said. “I’m trying to learn early in the year how can I have a routine that works for me in the sense where I can stay in the game defensively, even though I’m not playing defense, and then taking each at-bat like I would if I was playing defense.
“I’m not trying to overthink things too much because you have so much more time to think about things. I’m just taking it one day at a time, and I think I’ve been getting better and better every day.”
Entering Friday, Alonso was hitting .232 (13-for-56) with two doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 17 games at first. He was hitting .159 (20-for-126) with four doubles, six homers and 17 RBIs in 36 games as a DH.
Rick Renteria encouraged Alonso to keep it simple.
“I think DH-ing is a different role,” Renteria said. “And I will also say this: Hitting is hitting. Good hitters usually find their place. Hopefully, he will continue to get more and more comfortable in the box.”
Home debut
Rookie catcher Seby Zavala made his first start on the South Side a week after joining the team.
The San Diego State product has leaned on veteran catcher James McCann for advice. He said the first few days in the majors were a whirlwind but now he is feeling more settled.
“McCann said it’s not going to be right away, I’m not going to learn everything right away,” Zavala, 25, said. “If I make any mistakes, I want to learn from them and not let them happen again. My job is to be there for the pitchers.”
Almost ready
Zavala’s first stint with the Sox could end soon.
Welington Castillo caught a bullpen session and could return from the seven-day concussion list Saturday. He was sidelined after taking a foul tip off his catcher’s mask last Friday.
