Giants: Posey will return as catcher

As of Monday, September 26, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

Lesburg's Buster Posey saw his season end in May after a violent collision at home plate.

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy made it clear this weekend: Buster Posey is not only the franchise’s future, his future will be behind the plate.

Posey, the Leesburg native and reigning NL Rookie of the Year, was lost for the season in May after a home-plate collision with Florida’s Scott Cousins that resulted in a broken left fibula and three torn tendons in his ankle. But as Posey continues his rehab in Arizona, Bochy told the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend that when Posey returns by spring training next year, he will do so behind the plate — the position he’s played since his sophomore season at Florida State.

There had been speculation after Posey was hurt in the violent collision that in order for the franchise to preserve the health of their biggest star, he could move to a position in the field, such as first base, which he played at times after being called up from AAA Fresno in May of 2009.

“We’re both in agreement that it’s best for the club and Buster to be a catcher for us,” Bochy told The Chronicle. “We need his mind, too, as well as his physical talent, to help this (pitching) staff.

“Right now, we’re talking about next year. That doesn’t mean that down the road — whether it’s (top catching prospect) Hector Sanchez coming (in) — that (a change) isn’t possible. But we’re looking at right now, and catching next year is not going to shorten his career.”

The San Francisco Chronicle and Herald sports editor Danny Aller contributed to this report

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