SAN FRANCISCO -- The lineup card is about to become a daily object of curiosity for the Giants, at least for the next week or so. Assuming outfifelder Andres Torres and utility man Mark DeRosa come off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, as anticipated, the Giants will have more qualified position players than positions available. This will force manager Bruce Bochy to leave a proven performer or two on the bench for each game -- unless candidates for a regular role emerge or the current starters retain their status. "We're going to be a little crowded with some nice players," said Bochy, whose Giants begin a three-game series against Arizona on Tuesday. "We'll be a stronger team, but it's going to be hard to get them all out there playing." Start with Torres, since that's how the Giants often functioned during their World Series-winning season last year. The switch-hitting leadoff batter is San Francisco's closest semblance to an offensive catalyst. Bochy indicated that Torres, who strained his left Achilles tendon on April 9, will immediately reclaim his starting spot. "I don't want to say right now what we're going to do," said Bochy, who added, "I think it's fair to say we'd like to have Andres out there. He gives us some speed and a switch-hitter in the lineup." Where Torres re-enters the lineup is as essential as if or when. To ease the 33-year-old's transition to everyday activity, Bochy could elect to install him at a corner position instead of his usual perch in center field. Aaron Rowand thus would stay in the lineup while left fielder Pat Burrell or right fielders Cody Ross or Nate Schierholtz would be replaced. Bochy also faces a challenging decision if Torres returns in center. This would displace Rowand, who has started every game at that spot since Torres was sidelined. Rowand has been a definite asset, though to what degree is subject to interpretation. He has played solid defense and leads the team with 17 runs and 12 extra-base hits. Yet his on-base percentage (.317) and slugging percentage (.398) remain below average. Bochy could opt to move Rowand to left, which would mean benching Burrell, one of San Francisco's few legitimate power threats. As with Rowand, Burrell's performance provides fodder for debate. He's hitting only .239 and has a team-high 31 strikeouts. He also has drawn 16 walks, another team high, which have swelled his on-base percentage to .364. The Giants announced upon re-signing Burrell in December that he wouldn't necessarily be an everyday player, so benching him would merely confirm that. It also would represent a considerable departure from the norm, since he has started all but three games in left. Right field's an issue even without the Torres factor. Schierholtz has received the bulk of the playing time lately, but Ross strengthened his case Sunday by homering and driving in the Giants' only three runs. The infield's not as complicated. But DeRosa's impending return still could prompt Bochy and his staff to think overtime. With Pablo Sandoval (fractured right hamate bone) possibly sidelinened until late June, DeRosa conceivably would serve as an excellent replacement for the Kung Fu Panda at third base. DeRosa, who's recovering from left wrist inflammation, already was on the disabled list when Sandoval hurt himself. San Francisco's five victories in its last six games give Bochy enough reason to stick with the same left side of the infield he has used in that span: Mike Fontenot at shortstop and Miguel Tejada at third base. Cracks are beginning to develop, however. Fontenot has committed fielding errors in each of the previous two games. Tejada has hit into more than his share of line-drive outs, but the bottom line is that he's batting .195. Tejada also was the regular shortstop until Sandoval was sidelined. Conventional wisdom would suggest that if DeRosa's available to play third, Tejada would return to shortstop. But Fontenot has generated offense while batting third in six consecutive games, compiling a .518 slugging percentage (second on the team to Sandoval's .530) and reaching base safely in 12 of his last 26 plate appearances. "It's going to be a tough call, because he's doing such a nice job there," Bochy said. "I like the way Mike's been playing. He's earned playing time." Fontenot refused to dwell on how DeRosa's impending return might affect him. "I'm here to help contribute and help the team win in any fashion. I don't really worry too much about that other stuff," Fontenot said. "Whatever they need, whatever works best." 大意:巨人會越來越好 --

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