Unfazed by shifting lineup

Realmuto’s offensive versatility on display

NEW YORK — On Opening Day and the day after that, catcher J.T. Realmuto batted second in the Miami Marlins’ order. In the series finale, manager Don Mattingly moved him down to sixth to protect Marcell Ozuna. Realmuto sat in game No. 4 so backup A.J. Ellis could get in a game, then returned Saturday at the leadoff spot.

That’s four roles in five games for Realmuto, lineup vagabond.

“I know that he handles it,” Mattingly said. “Some guys don’t like to be moved around. J.T. just plays. The at-bats should not be any different if you’re first.”

Realmuto agreed, with one exception: the first at-bat of the game. When he hits leadoff, he likes to see a couple of extra pitches if possible in the first inning so teammates in the dugout have a chance to see how that night’s opposing starting pitcher looks. It also allows Realmuto to report back upon a return to the dugout.

Other than that, though, Realmuto doesn’t care much about where he hits — so much so that he didn’t know he was

batting first Saturday night until an hour after he arrived at Citi Field, when another Marlin happened to mention it.

“As long as I know by game time,” Realmuto said.

This opening week is a condensed version of what Realmuto did last year. His most common spot was seventh (53 starts), but also made at least one start in all eight of the top spots with considerable time batting first (23 starts), fifth (16 starts) and sixth (24 starts).

Realmuto moved to the top Saturday because Dee Gordon had the night off against the New York Mets.

“For me, it’s the same job in every spot,” Relamuto said. “It doesn’t matter where I hit. The situation is going to dictate the approach I take. … It’s really just that first at-bat that’s different.”

Typically, the first batter is particularly focused on getting on base and the sixth batter has a little more pop to drive in theoretical baserunners. Of sunsentinel.com/ Marlins course — and as Realmuto pointed out — after the first time through the lineup, it could be the No. 6 hitter who starts an inning or the leadoff guy who has an RBI opportunity.

Realmuto knows that, and so Mattingly will slot him in wherever needed on a given night. It helps, too, that Realmuto went 7 for 12 (.583) with two homers and a double in that first series against the Washington Nationals.

Realmuto