PORTLAND — Infielder Iggy Suarez didn't get a promotion to Triple-A. The good news is he's still drawing a paycheck.

Suarez, 27, has become one of the most popular Sea Dogs since arriving April 26, 2007. He batted .253 that year and .242 last season.

Suarez's strength is his defense at three positions. He appeared close to a promotion last year but stayed.

In spring training, Suarez had to compete for employment amid a crowd of infielders.

"There were a lot of people there," Suarez said. "I started to play (general manager). This person might go here and that person might go there. Where does that put me?"

Eventually the answer became Portland. Again.

"I obviously wish I made that jump (to Triple-A), but it doesn't mean it's not going to happen.

"It's not like I'm bitter. I'm still going to work hard. Being here is a good deal. I like it here. It's a fun place to play."

MUCH WAS MADE last year of Josh Reddick's attempt to adopt the Red Sox's patient approach. The free-swinging Reddick was uncomfortable and hit .214 in 34 games.

"I had a meeting with Mike Hazen (director of player development) and our hitting instructor," Reddick said. "They said, 'We're not asking you to walk. We're just asking you to swing at that pitch you know you can hit, instead of hitting that pitch out of the strike zone you know you can handle but sometimes get yourself out on.'

"They just wanted to make a compromise out of it instead of preaching in my head."

Reddick played in 15 major league spring games, batting .423 (11 for 26).

"And I even had two walks," he said.

ARGENIS DIAZ, a sure-handed shortstop, struggled in spring training with four errors in 11 major league games.

"I was thinking too much," Diaz said. "They tried to teach me how to field the ball, how to move my feet. They were on me all the time. Let me play and have fun. When I have fun, I can play the game."

WITH FIRST BASE getting crowded with prospects, Aaron Bates was asked to try left field – about two weeks ago.

"That was fine," Bates said. "I don't care where I play. It's more relaxing out there than first base."

Bates hadn't been in the outfield since Little League.

JOHN NATHANS, a former Sea Dogs catcher, will throw out the first pitch tonight. Nathans' career ended in the independent leagues two years ago when he was hit in the head by a baseball bat swung by Jose Offerman.

A recent Maine Sunday Telegram story described Nathans' health problems after the attack, with the fact he hadn't been back to Hadlock.

The Sea Dogs' staff saw the story and asked Nathans to the opener.

"He was with us our first year with the Red Sox, he lives in town and people are aware of what he went through," said the Sea Dogs' president, Charlie Eshbach. "The fact that he hadn't been to the ballpark – maybe he hadn't been asked."

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com