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PHOENIX -- What had been strongly believed is now certain: Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and right fielder Nate Schierholtz won't recover sufficiently from their respective injuries in time to make a token appearance for the Giants before the regular season ends Wednesday."I'd say it certainly looks that way," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's a case where neither one really came around as fast as w fantasyfootball e were hoping."Both Sanchez (sprained left ankle) and Schierholtz (broken right foot) moved their rehabilitation efforts to the Giants' training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., last week.Sanchez, who hasn't pitched since injuring himself Aug. 16, threw on flat ground again Friday. He said that when he tried this recently, his ankle felt sore by the end of each throwing session.Sanchez is again eligi fantasyfootball ble for salary arbitration, which will guarantee him a handsome raise from his $4.8 million salary despite his 4-7 record and 4.26 ERA in 19 starts. It has been speculated that the Giants, who are saddled with 12 other arbitration cases, will try to economize by packaging Sanchez in a deal for a hitter.But, Sanchez said, "Every year I'm [rumored] for a trade. ... I'll probably stay here my whole c fantasyfootball areer, you know?"Schierholtz, who hasn't played since Aug. 21, played more extensively than he ever has on the Major League level while hitting .278 in 115 games."I was able to contribute to the team this year. That was a positive thing I can take from the season," said Schierholtz, who hopes to be able to take pregame batting practice with his teammates as early as Saturday. Posey staying at cat fantasyfootball cher for 2012 PHOENIX -- Manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged Friday that he and the Giants' baseball operations hierarchy have considered moving catcher Buster Posey to first base. But Bochy emphasized that Posey will remain behind the plate for 2012.Conventional wisdom dictates that a shift to first base likely would prolong Posey's career and preserve his hitting prowess by sparing him from the fantasyfootball physical rigors of the sport's most grueling position. This issue was raised even before Posey sustained the extensive left leg injuries in a May 25 home-plate collision that sidelined him for the season."We've had internal discussions about it," Bochy said. "But at this stage we're all in agreement that we need Buster behind the plate."Bochy added, "We're talking next year. [Catching] next year i fantasyfootball sn't going to shorten his career."Eventually, moving Posey to first would clear a spot for switch-hitting catching prospect Hector Sanchez.Joe Torre, Craig Biggio and the Giants' own Pablo Sandoval are among the group of offensively valuable National Leaguers who caught early in their careers before moving elsewhere. The process is easier for American Leaguers, who can occupy the designated-hitter fantasyfootball role. Posey, 24, played 30 games at first base during his 2010 Rookie of the Year campaign.But, as Bochy indicated, Posey's still concentrating on regaining his catching skills at the Giants' training complex in nearby Scottsdale, Ariz. Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said that Posey gradually has been recapturing his physical ability to crouch in a catcher's squat by catching 40 to 50 feed fantasyfootball s from pitching machines every few days. Posey's still hoping to catch bullpen sessions with flesh-and-blood pitchers before he leaves Arizona on Nov. 1. fantasyfootball
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