By Mark Sheldon

Rookie Yonder Alonso’s position limbo is over. You won’t be seeing him experimenting at 3B anymore. Obviously 1B isn’t an option. He will be spending his off-season completely focused on left field.

“A couple of days ago, they told me to just work on left field and be ready for it. That’s what I am doing,” Alonso said on Wednesday.

The Reds also told him they would like him to slim down to increase his speed, which is Alonso’s main deficiency at the position. The instructions were similar to what former LF Jonny Gomes was told a couple of years ago.

“In the off-season, my plans are getting my body in check and work very hard to transform my body to play left field,” Alonso said. “Last year was more of a first base-left field type. It wasn’t 100 percent left field. This year is 100 percent left field. I hired a chef. I talked to a trainer already. I’m putting all of my efforts and stuff into my career and will make sure I am 100 percent ready to be the left fielder.”

The plan is to work with the outfield instructor from the Univ of Miami. Alonso is also roommates with Cardinals CF Jon Jay and the two will workout together.

Alonso said he weighs 230 pounds and wants to get down to 215–220, if possible.

“Definitely my body fat needs to go down to be an adequate left fielder,” he said. “I will work my butt off in left field.”