Papi makes season debut at first

ATLANTA -- David Ortiz made the start at first base for Monday's game against the Braves, marking his first day in the field since Game 5 of last year's World Series.

"I got my glove shipped from the Dominican," Ortiz quipped before the game.

Though Ortiz has established himself as the most prolific designated hitter of all-time in many statistical categories, he can hold his own when he gets his rare opportunities to play defense.

This was the first of 10 games the Red Sox will play in National League cities this season, and Ortiz will probably start the majority of those games at first.

Ortiz has done some prep work for Boston's only two games in NL cities until Aug. 5.

"There's been times where he's gone out and taken ground balls. The one thing I think sometimes people forget is that even though we know him as a guy with a bat in his hands, he does a very good job at first base," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "We might not be as flexible with how to position him with getting him that far off the bag. We need his presence in the middle of the order and he's done a very good job in these National League games at first base."