Josh Bell spent the offseason streamlining his throwing motion, switching to a sidearm release, in an effort to show the All-Star first baseman belongs on the field as an everyday position player.

When MLB added a universal designated hitter for the shortened season this summer, Bell became an obvious candidate to serve in that role for the Pittsburgh Pirates because of his power production.

Bell had a career season, with 37 doubles, 37 home runs and 116 RBIs, but playing every day took its toll. His batting average dipped from .343 at the end of May to .277 by the end of the season.

Even so, Pirates manager Derek Shelton repeatedly has said he plans to use a rotation of players as the DH instead of making it a full-time position for a slugger such as Bell or Gregory Polanco.

“It’s just another weapon for Shelton,” Bell said. “But, having said that, I’m working my tail off every day. I have gotten some feedback from teammates. I’ve got some feedback from coaches saying you’re right on path of where you want to be. So, as of right now, I view myself as a first baseman every day. I’m going to try and keep it like that.

“I’m going to do my best to work my tail off over there and make sure Shelton has confidence to put me in the lineup there every day.”

Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove expressed his confidence in having Bell behind him after the first day of training camp, saying Bell has “showed incredible signs of improvement at first base.”

“When you see Josh and the transition he’s made with his arm path and the way he throws the ball now and the way it’s coming out,” Musgrove said, “it’s just a night and day difference in the fluidity that he’s making.”

Bell said he spent the past three-plus months working on his catch and release points, dropping it lower so his catch and funnel to his right hand for release is “a lot quicker, a lot more repeatable.” The key is his footwork sets up the throw, which he described as his fore hands being a “little bit higher” than his back hands.

“I’m like a 240- or 250-pound guy, so for me to catch the ball and stand straight up and get the ball on target is going to be tough for me to do,” Bell said. “The lower I can release the ball from where I catch it, I think the more accurate I’m going to be.

So that’s what I’m working on. I’m working on footwork every day, rhythm through every throw. So far, so good. The arm feels great. It feels strong, and the throws are right where I want them to be, so I’ll continue to work.”

As for the DH, Bell deferred to Shelton. Bell said he is open to hitting in that spot if it can keep a hot bat in the lineup but give players a rest from the field in lieu of a day off. But Bell suggested it could be helpful to fellow top-of-the-order batters such as Kevin Newman, Bryan Reynolds and Adam Frazier.

“That’s above my pay grade,” Bell said. “That’s someone else’s job: ‘Do you want me over there? Do you want me to DH? You want to give me a day or something like that?’ I’m definitely excited to see the lineup Opening Day and see where we go from there.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)