SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Revealing his interest in fitting Michael Morse onto the Opening Day roster, manager Bruce Bochy said that he would consider having the slugger participate in Minor League exhibitions to sharpen his skills in left field.
On Friday, in a 5-1 loss to Colorado, Morse started his first game of the spring in left field, a position he hasn't played even semi-regularly since 2014. He also doubled, hiking his batting average to .308. Of Morse's eight Cactus League hits, half have gone for extra bases (two home runs and two doubles).
"He needs more time out there [in left field]," Bochy said of Morse, who has played 28 innings this spring at first base.
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Conceivably, the right-handed-hitting Morse could platoon with the left-handed-hitting Jarrett Parker.
"If the bat plays, you find a place for him," Bochy said.
Still the Thrill: Former Giants first baseman Will Clark, shrugging off the effects of recent hip replacement surgery, arrived for his annual stint as a guest instructor. Clark considered his appearance well-timed, since competition for vacancies on the 25-man Opening Day roster should intensify while he's here. "It'll be fun to watch these guys turn it up a little bit," said Clark, whose official title is special assistant in player development.
Smith returns: Left-hander Will Smith, sufficiently recovered from inflammation in his elbow, survived a pair of hits and pitched a scoreless seventh inning in his first Cactus League appearance.