Giants embracing platoon with Joe Panik, Yangervis Solarte at second base

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SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants were not shy about platoon talk this past offseason, and it appears at least one has already formed on the field. 

Joe Panik was out of the lineup for a third straight day as the Giants faced a left-handed starter for the third straight day. Manager Bruce Bochy said that may be pretty normal moving forward, and he certainly will do all he can to keep Tyler Austin in there against lefties. Austin was not supposed to play the outfield until next week but is in left field Wednesday, with Buster Posey at first and Erik Kratz behind the plate. 

"I like the lineup we can throw out there now against left-handers," Bochy said. "I just think it's a better presentation."

The Giants have just two lefties -- Steven Duggar and Brandon Crawford -- facing Nick Margevicius. Yangervis Solarte is at second for a third straight day. Solarte is 4-for-16 against lefties this season and Panik is 3-for-10.

Panik, the Opening Day starter, should have a more active weekend. The Giants are facing three right-handers during a four-game series with the Rockies. 

[RELATED: After two weeks of quiet bats, Giants break through]

If Austin, acquired Monday, plays this weekend it likely will be in left. The Giants accelerated their timeframe in terms of moving him from first to the outfield, so Austin -- who did not take any fly balls this spring and started at first in his first two appearances with the Giants -- did some pre-game work in left. Bochy said he's not worried about defensive mistakes. 

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