Posey attempts sliding, could DH by Friday

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants fans want to see Buster Posey when they tune into the first telecast of the season Monday night.

Manager Bruce Bochy really, really wants to give them what they want. But he can't in good conscience. Not yet, anyway.

"Sure, I know they want to see him," Bochy said. "We do, too. Our hope is that would happen, but it's not worth the risk."

Posey is making progress as he continues to test his reconstructed left ankle. He told me this afternoon that the ankle is feeling the best it has all spring. He gleefully put on his cleats as he got ready to do some sliding for the first time since the home-plate collision shattered his ankle May 25.

Posey also planned to run curves Monday, but not hard cuts around the bases. Giants coaches and staff remain very concerned about what will happen when Posey has to take a jarring step on a base.

It's likely that Posey will start at DH when he makes his exhibition debut, which Bochy said could happen "possibly by the end of the week."

The same is true for second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who continues to test his surgically repaired right shoulder by taking infield and throwing to bases. Bochy said Sanchez would be serving as the DH already if not for the back stiffness that he encountered earlier in camp.

Bochy said Sanchez could DH on Thursday or Friday.

"The concern, when you put them in a game, it's a different speed you're going at," Bochy said.

As for closer Brian Wilson (strained elbow last season), he is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Wednesday and remains on the schedule to make his Cactus League debut on Monday. And right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (strained lower back) could throw off a mound on Thursday if his flat-ground session goes well.

Here's tonight's lineup, which doesn't include all the regulars. The Brewers and Giants agreed to use a DH, but Milwaukee won't have Ryan Braun on the travel roster. (Lefty Chris Narveson is starting for Milwaukee.)

Bochy needed to hold back a few guys with a day game Tuesday.

CF Angel Pagan
2B Ryan Theriot
3B Pablo Sandoval
1B Aubrey Huff
LF Brandon Belt
DH Brett Pill
RF Gregor Blanco
SS Joaquin Arias
C Chris Stewart

P Matt Cain

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