Brian Anderson, who proved to be a quality defender at both third base and in right field last season, will begin the season as a third baseman, the Marlins said Saturday.
That decision means veteran Martin Prado, who has played in only 91 games the past two years because of assorted injuries, likely will begin the season as a backup, manager Don Mattingly said.
Anderson, one of the franchise’s cornerstone players, played 91 games in right field and 71 at third base last season, while hitting .273 with 11 homers and 65 RBI.
“He was excellent in right field for us but organizationally we feel he makes us a better organization playing third base,” Mattingly said at the team’s FanFest at Marlins Park.