A first for Miami Marlins’ Chris Valaika at first base

As a utility infielder, Chris Valaika said he has carried a first baseman’s glove in his travel bag in case of an emergency. Valaika finally put the glove to work Wednesday, getting his first career start at first base after manager Mike Redmond decided to give Greg Dobbs a day off against a left-handed pitcher. It wasn’t just the first time Valaika played first base in the big leagues — it was the first ever in a game, Little League included. “With Cincinnati, I had always taken ground balls over there just in case,” said Valaika, who in a span of 35 games through three-plus big-league seasons has played third base,...