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Bradenton, Fla. • Andrew McCutchen began what could be his final spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates by moving to a new position.

In late January, team management decided to move two-time Gold Glove winner Starling Marte from left field to center. McCutchen was switched to right field, a position he has never played in his professional career.

"It's difficult because I still feel like I can play," McCutchen said of center field before the Pirates' first full-squad spring training workout on Friday. "I've always been the center fielder since my first game here. That's where I've always played."

McCutchen, 30, said he'd always expected to be able to tell the team when he was ready to move out of center field. Instead, the decision was made for him.

"This was more like, 'This is something you have to do.' It wasn't an ask," McCutchen said. "It wasn't something I was ready for or something I wanted to do. But, as I'm saying that, I'm talking about myself. I had to not be as selfish and just accept that's what I have to do and move over to right."

Hurdle said McCutchen might play a few games in center this summer when Marte needs time off.

"Andrew played some of the best center field he's ever played last season," Hurdle said. "This is more about us having one of the elite defenders in the game and how do we best make our team better with the personnel we have."

McCutchen, a five-time All-Star, admitted he's a bit surprised to still be wearing a Pirates uniform. He was the subject of trade talks in the offseason, including a deal with the Washington Nationals that nearly came to pass during the winter meetings in December.

Around the horn

Yankees • At spring training with New York as a guest instructor, Nick Swisher says he has retired as a player. Swisher issued a statement Friday on The Players Tribune. Slowed by knee injuries the past several years, Swisher appeared in 76 games with Atlanta and Cleveland in 2014. The 36-year old slugger played in 55 games last season for the Yankees' Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team, then ended his season in July when his second child was born.

Rangers • Third baseman Adrian Beltre reported to spring training Friday in Surprise, Ariz., with a strained left calf muscle that will sideline him about three weeks and keep him out of the opening round of the World Baseball Classic. The 37-year-old Beltre, getting ready for his 20th major league season, said he injured the muscle working out at his home in California on Tuesday. He was planning to play for the Dominican Republic in the world classic, and could join the team after the first round if it advances.

Dodgers • Adrian Gonzalez is taking a two-week break from hitting to heal tendinitis in the first baseman's right elbow. Gonzalez still hopes to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic next month, he said Friday after reporting to camp. Gonzalez said he pursued his usual varied offseason workout program, including weightlifting and boxing exercises. It left him with a case of tennis elbow, or inflammation on the outside of the elbow after forearm tendons are overused. "I don't play tennis," Gonzalez said with a laugh.

Brewers • After playing only 14 games at second base in his brief major league career, Jonathan Villar had better get used to it: He will man the position for Milwaukee moving forward. The 25-year-old Dominican burst onto the scene for Milwaukee last season, hitting .285 with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and 38 doubles. He led the majors in stolen bases with 62.

Villar played 108 games at shortstop for the Brewers in 2016, but with the emergence of Orlando Arcia after an August call-up and an offseason trade with Boston that brought left-handed hitting third baseman Travis Shaw to town, the left side of the infield appears in good shape to begin spring training.

Villar said he prefers second over third base, where he played 42 games last season. Villar, a switch-hitter who led the Brewers in hits (168) and walks (79) last season, is excited about the change.