Aubrey Huff among Giants position players lagging from World Series run

CINCINNATI — The San Francisco Giants were concerned about how last year’s playoff workload would affect their splendid pitching staff this season.

Their arms haven’t lagged yet. But playing until Nov. 1 appears to be having an impact on some of their veteran position players — especially Aubrey Huff, whose struggles have been well-documented.

Bruce Bochy had planned to rest Huff in one of two games this weekend. But after Friday night’s 13-inning loss, in which Huff looked wiped out after scoring from first base, Bochy decided to rest the veteran for the remainder of the series in favor of rookie Brandon Belt.

Huff’s stiff back has been a recurring problem. He also has looked a step slower in the field and on the bases, and there’s plenty of chatter that he didn’t arrive in camp in the same shape he did the previous year.

Then again, Huff had never played in the postseason before last year. He made it through October on adrenaline alone. It made for a tricky offseason; his body needed rest and recovery, yet he also had less time to prepare for 2011.

"Oh, we talked about it," Bochy said. "Players who haven’t had to do it, and we have a few guys, there’s a lot they went through last year. Playing till Nov. 1 and having a short offseason, then having to get back into it — it does take a toll.

"It’s something that will test your mettle both on the mental and physical side."

As for the pitchers, Bochy said he was "thrilled to see how they’re throwing to this point in the season. We said we’d keep an eye on them, and they all seem to be doing well."


(bostonherald.com)