Without Headley, Black to experiment at third

PEORIA, Ariz. -- With Chase Headley sidelined for at least two weeks with a strained right calf, the Padres have decided who will play third base in the interim.

San Diego manager Bud Black said four players in big league camp -- Alexi Amarista, Ryan Jackson, Alberto Gonzalez and Minor Leaguer Jace Peterson -- could see playing time at third base when Cactus League play begins Thursday.

"We'll mix and match over at third," Black said. "It's good for those guys. It will be great for those guys to get exposed to third base. They'll get some [at-bats], some playing time.

"We know what Chase can do. Here in the short term, it will be good to get those guys exposed. They are up for it."

Headley injured his calf Saturday during an infield rundown drill. He was on crutches as a precaution to keep some of the weight off his calf. He said Sunday morning that the calf was sore. He was scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday.

"It's going to be beyond two weeks," Black said.

Of the available players, Gonzalez has played the most at third base (81 games, 48 starts) over his Major League career. Amarista has played 10 big league games at the position, and Jackson, who is considered an above-average defender at shortstop, played three games at third base in 2013 for the Cardinals. Peterson is a shortstop by trade as well.