Bill Hall has been missing in action most of the spring, recovering from a calf injury he suffered prior to the opening of camp. But manager Ken Macha said the everyday third base job is still Hall's to win or lose.
"He is going to get the opportunity to be the everyday guy," Macha said. "I think he realizes what his shortcomings were last year. He hit very well against left-handed pitching; right-handers gave him problems. "The game is a matter of making adjustments. They adjust on you. You've got to re-adjust on them. He wants to put up a big year. He's going to get that opportunity. It'll be in his hands to seize the position."
Hall played his way into a platoon role at third base last year under former manager Ned Yost by batting only .174 against right-handed pitchers. But Macha said the regular job will go to the right-handed hitter if he shows he can handle it.
Hall, who did not think he got a fair shake under Yost, said he looked forward to having the slate cleared with Macha.
"It's definitely mind-clearing, especially coming in here with the injury," he said. "I didn't have to worry about getting to play every day and maybe trying to rush back before I was ready.
"We talked about it in the offseason. He said he thinks I can be the player I was in '06, or even better. He told me to relax and not worry about what happened in the past.
"I'm comfortable now. We've got a new manager who has been very communicative with me. I don't feel like if I go 0-for-4 I'll be out of the lineup the next day. It's up to me now. That's all I can ask for."
Hall missed the first 14 exhibition games before finally getting cleared for his first start on March 14 against the Dodgers. Despite that down time, Hall said he had plenty of time to get ready for the season.
"It seems like it's been a long time (without playing)," Hall said. "But there's plenty of time left. There's no reason to panic."
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