Bell making strides on defensive side

PITTSBURGH — Josh Bell started at first base Wednesday for the fourth straight game, reinforcing the Pirates’ suggestion that he will play more often than not after being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

So don’t be surprised if Bell keeps starting games down the stretch. And don’t be surprised if the slugging prospect doesn’t finish many of those games at first base, either.

As they did with Pedro Alvarez last year and John Jaso earlier this season, the Pirates will look to replace Bell — still a work in progress defensively — with Sean Rodriguez late in games whenever possible.

Bell is a converted outfielder in his second full season at first base. He’s made significant strides, as he showed Tuesday by stretching out to snag a number of throws from around the infield. That skill often takes time to develop, manager Clint Hurdle noted, as first basemen learn more about their infielders’ arms.

“He’s getting there,” Hurdle said after the Pirates’ 7-1 win. “He’ll figure that out. We’ve got good defenders. That part of it shouldn’t be too challenging for him.”

Bell exited the …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com