Sheff Needs To Shed Pounds, Not Ready To Take Field

According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News,

After completing a 20-minute session in the outfield with coach Razor Shines hitting him balls, Gary Sheffield suggested he’s not ready to play the field in a game. Sheffield said he didn’t even pick up a glove during spring training. And because he figured to only be a DH with the Tigers, he came to camp heavier, and now needs to shed weight.

Sheffield also reiterated that he’d be content pinch-hitting with sporadic outfield play. He planned to learn how Marlon Anderson and others prepared to pinch-hit, since it’s only one at-bat per game, as opposed to what he’s been used to as a DH. Regardless, Sheffield said there’s no way he’d be able to play 130 games in the outfield this season, or whatever the equivalent of a regular player gets. “They’ll see I can’t do that real quick,” Sheffield said with a smile.

It looks like Ryan Church can relax a little because he’s in no danger of losing any regular playing time yet. However, Manuel suggested that Sheffield might get one start some time this weekend, maybe Sunday.