Programming note: Giants-Phillies coverage gets underway today with Giants Pregame Live at 3:30 p.m., then Kruk and Kuip are behind the mic for live baseball from Philadelphia at 4, only on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area!
PHILADELPHIA -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy revealed thatAubrey Huff had a setback with his right knee in a minor league rehab gameThursday night. Huff is flying back from Las Vegas to San Francisco to undergoanother MRI exam.
But the real news might have been what Bochy said after that: He and GM BrianSabean had been grooming Huff for a significant role, and perhaps a chance totake back the everyday first base job from Brandon Belt.
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"We wanted him to get these at-bats and get in everyday playing shapeversus a pinch-hitter (role) or an occasional start," said Bochy, addingthat Huff likely would've been activated on Monday.
"He hasn't had the at-bats or the time at first base. At least we wantedthat option to be able to help Brandon out."
Despite public votes of confidence in Belt, who continues to struggle, theGiants clearly are looking for other options at first base. Sources said Sabeanis not close to any deals, but he and his staff have formed a fairly narrowlist of trade targets.
Asked point-blank on Chronicle Live by CSN Bay Areas JimKozimor if Belt could be dealt, Sabean said that wasnt in the plans
San Francisco Giants
As of right now, no, Sabean said. Belt is a part of our present and future.He's still a young player trying to learn at the everyday, big league level.
I think hes in a mode now (where) he's thinking too much,and worrying about mechanics instead of attacking the baseball.I think sometimesits just as much (about) confidence in how you see the baseball. Just lookingat his face and his body language, you can tell he was frustrated or maybe alittle bit dumbfounded after taking pitches down the middle.
Prior to Huffs setback, Sabean said: Who knows, we might catchlighting in a bottle when Huff comes off the DL at the end of the road trip.