Bochy hopes for more progress from Sanchez

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.Second baseman Freddy Sanchez said "anxious is an understatement" as he still seeks to rejoin his teammates on the field. Giants manager Bruce Bochy is getting alittle impatient, too.Its important now that the pace picks up here a bit, so wehave him ready, said Bochy, after Sanchez participated in portions ofWednesdays workout. Itd be nice to have him ready by the third week ofspring so we can get him some at-bats, whether hes DHing or playing a fewinnings here of there. Sanchezs rehab work from right shoulder surgery had taken adetour on Tuesday, after his lower back flared up during a short-hop drill aday earlier. He said his back was improved Wednesday and he actually took a step forward, throwing to first base after fielding ground balls.Its the first time the 2006 NL batting champion has thrown to bases since June 10, whenhe dislocated his shoulder while diving for a ball up the middle. A much biggertest will come when Sanchez takes full infield practice with his teammates,turning double plays and throwing across his body. Not sure about double plays and all those things, Sanchezsaid. I havent been on the field with a team, really, since the injury. Soitll take awhile to get my rhythm with the bat and defense. But theres plentyof time to get ready.Sanchez also must take time to become accustomed toshortstop Brandon Crawford; the middle-infield duo have started just 11 careergames together. Sanchez went down just two weeks after Crawfords suddenpromotion from Single-A San Jose. You always talk about defense up the middle, Bochy said. Itsthe old adage: Every good club is strong up the middle. Thats why we haveCrawford as our shortstop and we hope Freddy will be ready. But if not, wellhave some good options with (Mike) Fontenot, (Emmanuel) Burriss and (Ryan) Theriot.Well have a good defender there.We still have a month, so were hoping Freddy will be outthere, and in another week to 10 days, he can begin doing some work out therewith Crawford. Sanchez said anxious is an understatement to describe howmuch hes looking forward to being cleared for full activitiesespecially turningdouble plays with Crawford.Itll be good to work with him, Fontenot, Theriot, Burriss,all those guys, to get our feeds down, Sanchez said. Theres not a shortstophe reminds me of, but hes just real smooth out there. He makes it look easy.Hes a great young player and he definitely picks it. Im excited to startturning some double plays.