Morse has no qualms about playing first base

SAN FRANCISCO -- Michael Morse has not played first base regularly in three seasons, but by no means is he inexperienced at the position.

"It's nice to have a guy that gives you this flexibility and has experience playing first," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who on Monday gave Morse his first start of the season at first. "He came up as an infielder, so he has good hands and I think he'll be just fine there."

With Brandon Belt on the disabled list, the Giants will look to Morse to carry the load at first base -- a position he is familiar with, although not so much recently.

Monday's contest against the Braves marked the 612th Major League game Morse has played in. In 131 of those games, he played first base.

The bulk of those appearances came in 2011 when Morse played 85 games at first base for the Nationals.

"I just play," Morse said. "I'm not trying to take anyone's position. I'm just trying to fill in until the big guy gets healthy."

Despite the long layoff from playing first base, Morse isn't concerned about what lies ahead.

"Most confidence is that we've got such a good infield," Morse said. "These guys can put the ball right on the money, so I'm just going to put my glove out there and let them hit it."

Morse did have an error in Monday's 4-2 victory as he failed to charge a ground ball that eventually hit the base. Morse fell to his knees and blocked the ball as Heyward narrowly avoided colliding with him.

While that play may have looked awkward, it did not cost the Giants and ultimately Morse passed his first test as the Giants' first baseman.