As soon as Erik Gonzalez left the field Thursday night, Ben Gamel sought out Pittsburgh Pirates assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero to ask if he could borrow his first baseman’s mitt.

Gamel knew it was down to him to play first base.

“I definitely wanted to go there,” said Gamel, who started the game in right field. “It’s kind of something I’ve done my whole career. It’s just another day. I really have no preference. I’m comfortable in the outfield, and I’m getting more comfortable at first base.”

With Colin Moran on the injured list, Phillip Evans already used as a pinch hitter and Gonzalez out of the game, Pirates manager Derek Shelton didn’t have many options. If not for Gamel, Shelton would have had to get creative with a short bench, perhaps moving Jacob Stallings to first and replacing him at catcher with backup Michael Perez.

“It’s just kind of the luck of the draw, I guess,” Shelton said. “We’re not catching very much good luck with the injury bug right now. It’s frustrating. Do we have to figure out a way to move on? Yeah, and that’s what we’re going to do. Hopefully, we can get some versatility on some different guys and provide us that stability.”

Then again, Shelton isn’t dwelling on the depth at first base as much as he is about losing the versatility of Gonzalez, who was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday. Gonzalez started 31 games at third base when Ke’Bryan Hayes was out, a dozen at shortstop and 10 games at first base.

“First is like one of the last positions we are worried about,” Shelton said. “It’s more than middle where I can concern myself.”

To replace Gonzalez, the Pirates selected the contract of super utility player Wilmer Difo from Triple-A Indianapolis and moved right-handed pitcher Trevor Cahill (calf) to the 60-day IL to clear room on the 40-man roster.

Evans got the start Friday night at first base, with rookie Jared Oliva in right field in place of Gregory Polanco, who has missed three starts while dealing with hip inflammation. Gamel started in left but knows he could be switching positions in a pinch, just like he always has.

Of his 495 career games in six seasons in the majors, Gamel has spent 409 in the outfield. He has played four games at first base, including the final two innings in a 14-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on May 10. That’s why Gamel has spent time working with third base coach Joey Cora, who instructs infielders, on the nuances of playing first base.

“It’s been awesome,” Gamel said. “Joey is a wealth of information for an infielder. He’s helped me tremendously, getting me in position and telling me where I need to be. He’s been great.”

Shelton was complimentary of Gamel’s versatility, especially his ability to play first base in a pinch.

“Not only the fact that he played all three (spots) in the outfield, but go over to first definitely provides us with some depth,” Shelton said. “He’s done a very admirable job when he’s been over there.”

In 42 games since being claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Indians by the Pirates, Gamel is batting .228 with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs and seven RBIs, including a solo shot off Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes in the fifth inning of Thursday’s 7-2 loss to the Brewers.

Gamel has fared especially well against his former team, batting .417 (5 for 12) with two doubles and two homers in four games this season. Gamel played 174 games for Milwaukee in 2019-20, so homering against the Brewers brought a smile to his bearded face.

“It’s always nice to hit one against your old team,” Gamel said. “I like to act like it doesn’t (matter), that’s it’s not motivation, but to get one off your buddies is always nice, for sure.”

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