SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- With Nolan Arenado away from camp at the World Baseball Classic with Team USA, the Rockies' starting lineup Monday against the Dodgers had Mark Reynolds at third base. It's something Colorado fans don't want to see much of this season.
"I don't, either," Reynolds said, laughing. "I want to see Nolan over there. He's the best in the world."
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But Reynolds, 33, nonetheless wants to prove himself a worthy option, whether at first, third or even in the outfield. Reynolds was the club's regular first baseman last season, but the signing of Ian Desmond changed that.
Still, Reynolds hopes to prove this spring at various positions that, even though the plan is for him to be a bench player, Rockies manager Bud Black can play him as often as he'd like.
"I'm looking at it as a bench role, but at the same time, I don't want to close the door on playing [regularly]," Reynolds said. "I'm busting my tail.
"Obviously, we have our infield set, but I want to put that little inkling of doubt in Bud's mind. 'This guy can play, too.'"
Reynolds, in camp under a Minor League contract, entered Monday 5-for-12 (.417) with a .500 on-base percentage and two doubles. He had career bests in batting average (.282) and on-base percentage (.356), with 14 homers and 53 RBIs in 118 games with Colorado last season.
This is the second time in three years Reynolds has arrived at Spring Training looking at a bench role. He signed with the Cardinals in 2015, but an injury to Matt Adams opened the door to 140 regular-season games and three more in the postseason.