First Base Is an Anvil for Lopez

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. March 26 -- Javy Lopez's face appeared worn early Sunday morning and a smile that is ever present had been reduced to a simple smirk, one he could barely muster. It appears Lopez has not rested well this entire spring and though he often is upbeat, his patience appears to have worn out.

On a normal day this spring training, Lopez will catch during the morning practice session, then take grounders during batting practice before finally playing first base in a game -- too often not very well. It is a routine that has taken its toll physically and mentally on Lopez.

But at least he was saved from a two-hour trip to Port St. Lucie on Sunday. While others packed and headed for the bus, Lopez walked around the clubhouse and prepared for his much-needed off day, his first in some time, though it was hardly a day of rest.

He caught the bullpen sessions for a couple of pitchers, then spent some time at first base. And that is an easy day for Lopez, who out of necessity has worked harder than any other Oriole this spring.

"Mentally, it is wearing me out," Lopez said. "It's something that has consumed my time and my mind. My biggest part in this game is to be able to hit. The fact that I have been working so much at first base has consumed some of the time I normally put on my hitting. But for the last few times I've been balancing stuff out, working on both things even though I still need to work a littler harder defensively because I need to get better at the position. But I still need to work just as hard at my hitting just because the season is about to start."

Though Lopez has often appeared inadequate at first base, it appears Baltimore has no choice but to put the former catcher there. Unless Lopez is traded, which seems unlikely at this point, he likely will be the team's primary first baseman, splitting time with Jeff Conine and Kevin Millar.

"I would think he'd be the Opening Day first baseman," Manager Sam Perlozzo said of Lopez. "I don't see anything that would change that."

Nobody expected Lopez to quickly adjust to playing first base, but perhaps he never thought it would be so consuming. He often will carry a mistake from the field to the batter's box. Lopez is hitting just .167 this spring with one home run and has often appeared listless at the plate. Because Lopez has focused so much on playing first base, he's neglected his time at the plate, which seems counterproductive, since it was Lopez's bat that had caused the Orioles to move him to first base in the first place. But the transition has taken a bigger toll than anyone had imagined.

"It's been a little [bit] of a distraction," Lopez said. "Hitting is not what my focus is on this spring training. My mind is on not being able to make a mistake at first base. I shouldn't think that way. I need to relax and just enjoy the game, instead of worrying about making a mistake at first. That's something that I hope I will overcome."

At the beginning of spring training, Lopez had scoffed at the idea of spending time at DH, but now appears open to such a suggestion. Perhaps it is because he has noticed how much playing first base has affected him.

"I am willing to DH once in awhile," Lopez said. "When I say once in awhile, I mean not being full-time DH. I don't see myself DHing every day. I don't want to do that."

As he spoke, the last of his teammates had packed up their belongings and boarded the bus. The clubhouse was quiet and empty except for Lopez, who even on this day, had a long day ahead.

"It's always good to have an off day," Lopez said, "and to relax."