LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. -- The "Christian Bethancourt Experiment" is no longer an experiment.
For the Padres, who hatched a plan last summer to turn a lifelong catcher into baseball's ultimate utility man, it's very much a reality.
Bethancourt was named to the Padres' Opening Day roster on Saturday. He's going to catch. He's going to play the outfield. He's going to serve as a pinch-hitter against lefties. But when asked for Bethancourt's primary position, manager Andy Green didn't hesitate.
"Pitcher," Green said firmly. "That's the way we're looking at him primarily right now. .