Erik Gonzalezis heading to the starter’s gate…

The 27-year-old Dominican professional baseball player has won a starting job in the infield with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The team’s general manager, Neal Huntington, said Gonzalez has won the shortstop competition over Kevin Newman.

Gonzalez has gone 7-for-30 (.233) with a double, a home run, 11 strikeouts and two errors in Grapefruit League play. Newman is 8-for-29 (.276) with two doubles, a homer and no errors.

Acquired from the Cleveland Indiansin an offseason trade, Gonzalez spent his first three seasons with the Indians as a utility player.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and it’s finally here,” Gonzalez said. “I am so happy for my family, friends, the people have supported and always believed I could be a starting shortstop in the big leagues.”