Alex Rodriguez is set to start a game on the right side of the field for the first time.
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi will play the infielder at first base in Sunday's exhibition game against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Fla.
"He's done some extra work," Girardi said. "We did cut-off relays with the shift the other day and we had him at first doing it. We'll go over the bunt defences again before we leave. Those are the things that are going to be a little tricky."
Rodriguez has never played first base at any level. It will be the first time he plays a position other than shortstop or third base.
"I know it doesn't look good, but it felt pretty good," Rodriguez said. "If I can just keep making small strides every day, I'll take that."
Girardi insists that Rodriguez's position change is only temporarily, as Garrett Jones will primarily backup Mark Teixeira at first. The move was specifically made so the team wouldn't be caught off guard in the case of an emergency during the season.
"If something were to happen to one of them, just trying to prepare ourselves," Girardi said.
"As we know, it's a long grind and there's some day games after night games, and there's some days that we'll get in late, and those might be days that you choose to sit certain people. I think the one thing that we have with this club, we have depth."
Throughout spring training, Rodriguez has obediently accommodated Girardi and the team in hopes of bouncing back after being suspended for all of last season.
"I'm thinking of first base to give Joe as many options as he could possibly have," Rodriguez said. "I know he likes to give guys rest; I know he likes matchups. I just want to be an asset to Joe all year."