LOS ANGELES -- Alexei Ramirez didn't expect to be chasing down fly balls in right field this season -- but then again, not much has gone as planned this year for the Padres' veteran shortstop.
Playing in his ninth big league season, Ramirez -- who struggled during the first half -- has since fallen victim to the Padres' youth movement.
Over the past month, Ramirez has seen his playing time plummet. First, he gave way to prospect Jose Rondon, then Luis Sardinas. In the meantime, he's taken to learning the corner outfield spots, as a way of getting into the lineup against left-handed pitching -- as he was Saturday night in Los Angeles.