The San Francisco Giants will be relying heavily on Buster Posey in 2012 to carry a big chunk of the load offensively. The star catcher missed a majority of last season with a horrific ankle injury and has been recovering from it ever since. Fortunately for Bruce Bochy, Posey has worked very hard in the offseason to get healthy and will be ready to go when pitchers and catchers report on Sunday.
As for his availability for the Spring Training opener? That is still up in the air. Andrew Baggarly has the update:
The Giants plan to take it very, very slow with Posey while their all-important leader, catcher and cleanup hitter eases his way back following devastating left ankle and leg injuries he sustained in a home-plate collision May 25.
"I'll sit down with Buster today or early tomorrow," said Bochy on Saturday, as pitchers and catchers reported to Scottsdale Stadium. "He's good to go and he's swinging the bat. He's catching fine. But we'll probably take it easy on him early and pick up the pace the second week (of games)."
It sounds like the Giants will be very cautious with Posey going forward, as they should. There is absolutely no reason to rush him back and risk his future for a few meaningless Spring Training games. Should Posey play to his full ability once the regular season begins, San Francisco becomes a completely different team.
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