First Taste at First Base

Darin Erstad’s first day at first base went fine Friday. He took dozens of grounders, missing only one.

“Darin can play there,” Manager Terry Collins said of the converted outfielder. “He looks like he has good enough hands to catch grounders and balls in the dirt, and he’s a good athlete. We just have to see how he reacts when the ball is live off a bat.”

Erstad, the first pick in the 1995 draft, will have help in learning the finer points of the position as he tries to replace the traded J.T. Snow. Veteran first baseman Eddie Murray plans on spending time with the youngster.

“The great thing is, Eddie is so willing to help,” Erstad said. “He said, ‘You better get used to me, because I’m going to be in your back pocket.’ It’s going to take awhile to get used to the hops and everything, but I have to be patient with it.”

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Erstad was held out of batting practice because of a bruised left hand, an injury he suffered last week at the University of Nebraska. Walking past an indoor batting cage, he was hit by a line drive that went through a hole in the net. He should be ready to hit early next week.

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Right fielder Tim Salmon has set a Tuesday deadline for his agent to negotiate a contract extension that is expected to be in the five-year, $30-million range. If a deal isn’t struck by then, contract talks will be tabled until next fall.

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Pitcher Chuck Finley, sidelined because of tendinitis in his shoulder, is expected to resume throwing Sunday.