Murphy will start at first base tonight

May 20, 9:23 PMNew York Mets ExaminerAndrew Mees

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Mets skipper Jerry Manuel said during his weekly spot on WFAN radio that Daniel Murphy will start at first base tonight against the Dodgers.

The move is both an attempt to find a defensive position that Murph can actually play, and to hopefuly find a stopgap at first until Carlos Delgado returns from hip surgery.  Murphy played 13 games at first in Double A last season, and some within the organization envision him at that spot when Delgado moves on. 

Murphy as an outfielder has been put on the backburner for now, and according to Manuel, the rookie was relieved when given the news.

His reaction, it surprised me,” Manuel said according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. “He just lit up, had a big smile. I spoke with (outfield coach) Razor Shines about it and he said, ‘Oh yeah, he’s like a kid with a new toy.’ Whereas I’m like, ‘I’m scared to death. If he can’t catch it out there, how’s he going to catch it in here?’”

We'll find out how Murph does at 10:10, when the club begins the third game of their series with the Dodgers.  Braces yourselves everyone.