Padres' Yangervis Solarte: Returns to team from WBC

Solarte was back in the Padres lineup Monday, going 1-for-3 in a win over the Rangers.

Analysis:

The 29-year-old was participating in the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. Manager Andy Green expressed concerns that his infielder wasn't receiving enough playing time in the tournament (3-for-6 in five games), so it would make sense for Solarte to see regular at-bats in the final couple weeks of spring training to get back up to speed with his teammates. The switch-hitting infielder had a career year last season, hitting .286 with 15 home runs and 71 RBI in 443 plate appearances. Assuming good health, he should easily surpass 500 plate appearances as an everyday player and gain second base eligibility (if he didn't already possess it), making him a potentially undervalued asset.