WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- If you wonder how much Wilmer Difo has embraced the idea of becoming a super utility player, just bring up the idea that he is set to be the team’s emergency catcher this season. His smile grows wide, and he starts speaking passionately, in Spanish, about how the Nationals wanted him to work out behind the plate before he signed out of the Dominican Republic. 

“Right before I signed [in 2010], they made me get behind the plate and move a little bit and see because they wanted to sign me as a catcher,” Difo said through team interpreter Octavio Martinez. “I caught a bullpen of one of the players throwing 94-95 [mph], no gear.

“No cup, no nothing,” Difo added in English with a laugh. “No facemask. Only glove.”

The Nationals are attempting to transform Difo into a super utility player, teaching him multiple positions to help improve his versatility off the bench. Remember, Nationals manager Dave Martinez said he would like the flexibility to use Kurt Suzuki or Yan Gomes as a pinch-hitter on days they do not start behind the plate, which could put Difo one step away from an appearance behind the plate.

It’s a challenge Difo, who has spent all but eight of his 255 games in the big leagues playing the infield, welcomes. In the Nationals' 8-5 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday afternoon, he received his first start in center field, the outfield position he prefers rather than left or right field. He delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning.

His ability to play center field has become even more crucial with Michael A. Taylor expected to miss “a significant amount of time” with a sprained left knee and left hip. Martinez declined to put a specific timetable on Taylor’s return Saturday, or even give a general timeline, but with Taylor sidelined the Nationals’ outfield depth will be tested.

“When it comes to injuries there’s really no timetable,” Martinez said. “Michael came in today, and he said he felt a lot better than he did yesterday. I’m kind of optimistic. He’s a strong kid, so hopefully, once he’s pain-free, he can start rehabbing right away.”

With Taylor down, top prospect Victor Robles has a clear path to remain the team’s everyday center fielder, but the Nats had still planned to get Taylor ample playing time. Juan Soto will play nearly every day in left field, but Adam Eaton has battled a number of injuries to his legs the past two seasons, so the club wants to make sure he receives enough rest. Andrew Stevenson is the only other outfielder on the 40-man roster.

So, Martinez wants to have Difo ready to step in and play center field if necessary. The Nats believe Difo can handle the position thanks to his combination of a strong throwing arm and good speed -- 28.6 ft/sec according to Statcast, where 27.0 is league average -- but his experience there is limited to nine innings during the regular season. Difo acknowledged he still needs to work on his communication skills in the outfield and Martinez wants to see Difo call other defenders off more aggressively in the outfield if he thinks he can get to a fly ball.

As of now, Martinez has no plans to start Difo in center field during a regular season game, but he could see a scenario where he needs him to fill in there as part of a double switch, or a late-game substitution. Whatever it is, the versatile Difo seems like he will be open to it.

“It’s nice to have another option,” Martinez said. “Being that he’s a switch hitter, this will be something that will be an in-game [option]. Something happens during the game, we move guys around. The fact that he can play center field, left field, short, second and third, is pretty nice to have. Plus, like I said before, he may have to get catcher's gear.”