SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When Yangervis Solarte signed a Minor League deal with the Giants last month, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi asked the veteran infielder if he¡¯d be open to playing some left field this year.

Solarte responded with enthusiasm.

"He said, 'I'll play center if you want me to,'" Zaidi recalled. "I said, 'Oh, we'll wait on that.'"

The Giants got their first look at Solarte in the outfield on Monday, as the 31-year-old played six innings in left field in the Giants' 8-2 loss to the Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. Solarte didn't record any outs, but he chased down two doubles and a triple down the line in his first start at the position since 2014.

"He looked all right," manager Bruce Bochy said. "In early work, he looked comfortable. He's all for it, and that's the big part of it."

Solarte can provide coverage at all four infield spots for the Giants, but the club doesn't have a starting position available to him given the presence of first baseman Brandon Belt, second baseman Joe Panik, third baseman Evan Longoria and shortstop Brandon Crawford. Bochy said Solarte's ability to man the outfield could help him draw more at-bats if he's swinging the bat well during the regular season.

A switch-hitter, Solarte crushed 17 home runs for the Blue Jays last season, which would have led the Giants. His ability to play multiple positions could set him up for a significant role with San Francisco, which is prioritizing versatility under Zaidi.

"Those guys are so important," Bochy said. "Guys that give you versatility. If they're going well, then you find different places to keep them out there and spots to play, obviously, to rest guys. That was a big signing for us."

Longo stays hot
Longoria continued his fast start to the spring Monday, depositing a 97 mph fastball from Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias over the left-field berm to put the Giants on the board in the second inning. He is now 6-for-11 with two home runs and four RBIs over his first six Cactus League games.

"He¡¯s looked really good," Bochy said. "He¡¯s just got a different look about him."

First hits
Center fielder Cameron Maybin snapped an 0-for-17 start to the spring after beating out a grounder to short for an infield hit in the third inning. Maybin, who spent the offseason overhauling his swing with private hitting instructor Craig Wallenbrock, added a double in the sixth and is now 2-for-19 in seven games.

"I was glad to see Maybin get a couple hits," Bochy said. "Even though it's Spring Training, trust me, it wears on them a little bit. It's good to have him have a little success, especially him being the new guy over here. He wants to do well."

Stephen Vogt, who entered the game as a designated hitter in the sixth, also singled for his first hit of the spring.

Scary moment
Infielder Donovan Solano left the game after being hit on the helmet by a pitch from Dodgers right-hander Daniel Corcino in the seventh inning. Bochy said Solano appeared to be OK and was removed out of caution.

Up next
The Giants have a scheduled off-day Tuesday before returning to Cactus League action Wednesday against the Rangers at 12:05 p.m. PT at Surprise Stadium. Right-hander Chris Stratton will make his third exhibition outing and start opposite Texas right-hander Shelby Miller.