Longoria glad to be playing the field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evan Longoria doesn’t mind the designated hitter rule, so long as he’s not the DH.
He won’t have to worry about that anytime soon after moving out of the American League, where he spent his first 10 big-league seasons.
Longoria made his defensive debut for the Giants on Saturday, playing four innings at third base and going 2-for-2 with his first home run. He had played three previous games as a DH and got one hit.
“You’re just into the game a little more,” said Longoria, referring to playing the field instead of DHing. “The flow of the game is a little easier. I’ve never been a consistent DH. Guys who DH all the time get into their own kind of routine, and I just don’t know how to do that. I feel it’s much easier for me to focus when I play the field.”
Longoria, acquired from Tampa Bay in December, is a .270 career hitter spanning 1,435 games. He has been a DH in 87 games, hitting .235.
“I like the DH,” he said. “It’s definitely a different kind of game. It adds a lot more length to the lineup. Some of the pitchers like Madison (Bumgarner) can really hit, and you’ve got an advantage when you’ve got a guy like that.
“But most of DHs are hitting 30 home runs nowadays. When you’re able to insert another guy into the lineup who has that much power, it makes it that much tougher for the pitcher.
“I know there are both kinds of fans, and a lot of people love to see the pitcher hit. I’m not saying one’s better than the other. Just a completely different style of play.”
Cueto’s debut: Johnny Cueto pitched two innings in his Cactus League debut and is envisioning a healthier season and possibly 200 innings.
“Of course it’s important. I’d like to throw 200 innings,” said Cueto, who was limited to 1471⁄3 last year because of injuries. He surpassed 200 in 2016, his first year as a Giant.
“We’ll be smart about it,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s not a goal we’re going to push them to get 200 innings, but if he’s throwing the ball well, that happens naturally.”
Cueto threw mostly cutters, one changeup and no curves. His first batter, Delino DeShields, doubled, and Shin-Soo Choo followed with a homer on a floating backdoor cutter. Two more Rangers reached off Cueto, one of whom he picked off. Briefly: Bochy said Brandon Crawford (finger sprain) will debut at shortstop within three days. He was a DH on Saturday . ... New lefty Tony Watson is to debut Sunday . ... Closer Mark Melancon threw on the side, and his next assignment will be in a game.