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SAN DIEGO -- The latest position change in his topsy-turvy defensive career is official: William Myers is a third baseman.
Myers was reinstated from the disabled list on Monday and was inserted at third base for the Padres in their series opener against the Angels.
For the past month or so, Myers has worked extensively at third base, as the Padres hatched a plan to turn him into a versatile roster piece who could shift back and forth between the infield and outfield.
That plan was temporarily put on hold when Myers fouled a ball off his left foot two weeks ago, landing on the disabled list with a bone bruise. But he regained full health last week and played a rehab game at third for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on Sunday. Two routine grounders were hit Myers' way, and he made both plays.
Padres manager Andy Green noted the timing of the move. The Padres sit 24 games below .500 and plan to use the remainder of the season to learn about the capabilities of their roster before they need to make a handful of offseason decisions.
"Where we are in the process right now, it only makes sense to try some things," Green said.
Versatility has always been a critical part of Myers' skill set. He played first base in 2016 and '17 before the Padres signed Eric Hosmer to an eight-year deal. That necessitated a move back to the outfield for Myers. He spent his first three big league seasons there -- including an ill-fated stint in center field in '15.
For the most part, third base is a new challenge for Myers, though he was committed to play third at South Carolina before he was drafted as a catcher by Kansas City. He spent two seasons behind the plate in the Royals system, but he was mostly an outfielder otherwise. He played 15 games at third in the Minors in 2012 but has played only one inning there since.
"It's something I think could benefit the team a lot to give them that option," Myers said over the weekend. "I realize I might not always be in the infield. But just to have that option ... puts the team in a better chance to win."
It's easy to see why. The Padres haven't yet found their long-term solution at third base. Christian Villanueva has slumped since winning National League Rookie of the Month in April. There aren't any big league-ready options in the Minors either. Still, the Padres don't expect Myers to become their long-term solution at third. They'd just like him to be available there to provide lineup flexibility -- akin to the way the Cubs rotate Kristopher Bryant, Benjamin Zobrist and Ian Happ to open room for other players in their lineup.