'Defensive weapon' Parra to see plenty of time

Published Apr. 7, 2012 11:21 a.m. ET

foxsports

Gold Glover Gerardo Parra could see a lot of time in left field even in games he does not start, manager Kirk Gibson said before Saturday’s game.

Parra entered as a defensive replacement for starter Jason Kubel for the final three innings of the D-backs’ 5-4 victory over San Francisco on Friday, coming in after the D-backs broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth, just after Kubel had his third at-bat.

"It just makes all the sense in the world," Gibson said. "Parra is as good as there is you can put out there on any team in a corner. Those circumstances are similar -- you could see that happening again. It’s good for our team. Parra is a defensive weapon."

Kubel reached on an error by Buster Posey in the sixth inning, and his spot in the batting order was six away when the switch was made. Kubel missed time this spring with a tight right quadriceps, and while Gibson said that was not a factor in his decision, he also said "it’s never 100 percent gone away. It’s just something that’s there."

Gibson and Kubel discussed the possibility early in spring training.

"He said, 'It is no problem, do what you think is right for the team,'" Gibson said.

"And the thing is, if the Giants come back and tie it up ... you are losing something offensively, but you are gaining something. It’s a different dimension."

Kubel, signed to a two-year deal as a free after this winter, has averaged 19 home runs the last five seasons. Parra is more of a speed option after a career-high 15 stolen bases last season.

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