Six players in Padres camp played shortstop somewhere in 2017. It’s feasible, however, that Andy Green has only one experienced shortstop – Freddy Galvis – on his roster when camp breaks late next month.

“If someone is just a phone call away,” Green said Friday, “sometimes your roster construction allows you to do other things if you’re going to run that guy out at shortstop every single day.”

That guy is Galvis.

That guy played in every Phillies’ game last year.


That guy has averaged 157 games played the last three years.

That guy, barring injury, will be expected to hold down the middle of the infield every day in San Diego.

The question that Green and his staff will tackle is just what to do about his backup.

There isn’t an obvious answer.


Allen Cordoba and Javier Guerra are the only other 40-man options with shortstop experience. Cordoba, of course, played the position sparingly last year in the majors as a Rule-5 pick and is likely ticketed for more minor league seasoning this year. Guerra is as gifted as they come with the glove, but posted a .588 OPS after a midsummer promotion to Double-A San Antonio.

Then there’s the non-roster shortstop options in camp: Dusty Coleman, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias.

The latter two are the organization’s top positional prospects, requiring that they play every day in the minors in 2018. Coleman, in camp on a minor league deal, handles himself well defensively and surprisingly slugged four homers in 27 games as a call-up last year.

He’s the front runner if the Padres do carry a conventional reserve shortstop.


Green also indicated earlier this week that the Padres could still dip into the free agent market for a utility infielder.

He could also simply ask someone on the roster to fill in on a short-term basis.

Yangervis Solarte was that guy for Green last year.

Cory Spangneberg, Carlos Asuaje and Christian Villanueva could slide over to shortstop this year if needed (if they make the team).


“If one of those guys has to play a few games in the season at shortstop, we’re going to survive,” Green said. “We’re going to be all right.”

More on roster flexibility

Green figures to have more flexibility with his lineup than his first two seasons.

Jose Pirela, the favorite to start in left field, is a candidate to play second base against left-handed pitching and handled himself well enough in four games in right field for Green to believe he could pop over there again in 2018. Meanwhile, Spangenberg is competing exclusively at second base with Asuaje this spring, but his experience in left field would allow him to cover the Padres in a pinch if needed.

Spangenberg is also a backup option at third base for Chase Headley, who is likely Wil Myers’ primary backup at first base.


If Villanueva, who is out of minor league options, makes the roster, he has extensive experience at third and first and some at second and left field.

On the farm, Tatis and Urias have logged playing time at shortstop, third and second base.

Heath check

Speaking of Pirela, Green said Friday that the finger injury that sidelined him in September is a non-issue. Pirela hit was 5-for-22 with a double, a triple and an RBI in seven games in Venezuela this winter.

OF Alex Dickerson missed all of 2017 with a back injury that ultimately required surgery. He’s healthy to start camp, but Green doesn’t anticipate a heavy workload in 2018. “I think he’s going to be run out there for a very limited number of games,” Green said. “I’m not going to put a number on it, but don’t feel like he’s going to be in a position coming off back surgery to play 162 games.”

A picture is worth …

Make sure you’re following Union-Tribune photographer K.C. Alfred on Twitter. You’ll want to see his work this spring, especially when photo day rolls around next week.


Around the water cooler

“Trevor Time” means something entirely different than it did a decade ago when it pops up on the relievers’ schedule in spring training. Trevor Hoffman is on his way to the Hall of Fame and is an invaluable resource for the relievers in camp. “Every word he says you try to soak up as much as you can,” Phil Maton tells MLB.com’s A.J. Cassavell.

is on his way to the Hall of Fame and is an invaluable resource for the relievers in camp. “Every word he says you try to soak up as much as you can,” Phil Maton tells MLB.com’s A.J. Cassavell. The newest Padre, RHP Rowan Wick , was once a power-hitting outfielder with one of the strongest arms in the system, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold writes.

, was once a power-hitting outfielder with one of the strongest arms in the system, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold writes. And you’ll never guess (or maybe you will) which former Padre is in the Jersey Mike’s business. Hint: He’s current a New York Met.

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jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders