SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants begin a road trip to visit 2010 playoff opponents in Atlanta and Philadelphia Tuesday, and they might get one of their stars from their 2010 squad in time for the trip. Aubrey Huff is expected to join the Giants, with his activation possible at any time.
"We could activate him today," Bochy said before going to discuss the plan for Huff with his staff.
With Melky Cabrera on paternity leave (see below), the Giants have the option to replace him with a player for a maximum of three days. It provides them the option to activate Huff without making corresponding move, although they would have to do so once Cabrera rejoins the team Tuesday.
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It will be interesting to see how Huff is used by Bochy. Brandon Belt nailed down the first base position when he his three-home run series the last time the Astros were in town spurred an 11-game hitting streak, but he has since cooled off at the plate.
"What comes into play (when deciding when to activate him), is what his role would be," Bochy said. "He could get a lot of playing time at first base. If hes going to be used off the bench and occasionally play first, hed be good to go."
"He had a setback a week ago, but he's over that and he feels like the knee is real close now," Bochy added.
Huff, 35, injured his knee when he collided with a teammate and crashed to the ground while leaping over the dugout railing to celebrate Matt Cain's perfect game on June 13. He was seen on the Comcast SportsNet telecast in a hobbled run out to the beer-showering celebration.
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"As far as his running, it's really picked up."
Huff went 1-for-5 in his latest rehab game with the Single-A Giants Saturday.
The Melk-man's the father?
Despite Bochy's plans to play his All-Star left fielder Sunday, Melky Cabrera isn't in the lineup. Instead, he's in Orlando with his girlfriend anticipating the birth of his third child.
Cabrera took the red-eye after Saturday night's game, and almost missed his flight after the affair lasted 12 innings.
Cabrera did his part to get a win in regulation, though, recording an RBI and playing solid defense. He finished 2-for-5, recording his league-leading 40th multi-hit game of the season.
He will rejoin the team in Atlanta and is expected to be ready for Tuesday's game -- Ryan Vogelsong vs. Jair Jurrjens.
Something amiss
Ryan Theriot joins Cabrera out of the lineup Sunday. His case is a bit more curious.
Theriot, who was seen in the Giants clubhouse rocking an interesting article of the uniform on his head, missed a team workout.
"Something to take care of," was all Bochy would offer.
That "something," coupled with the day game after a 12-inning night game, led to the decision to start Emmanuel Burriss.
It's Burriss' first start since the Fourth of July, when he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run in the 9-4 loss to the Nationals.
Entering the "so-called dog days," Bochy said he wants to "keep the guys fresh."
Pablo in the clear, again
"Hey, Pablo. Did you get fined for those gold cleats?"
"Nope," Sandoval replied with a smile as flashy as his All-Star Game spikes.
No word on if he'll test his luck again.
On the road
It's getaway day for the Giants. They'll board the team buses when leave AT&T Park after Sunday's game and head straight for SFO. They won't arrive in their Atlanta hotels until nearly 1 a.m.
They'll have a full day off in Atlanta Monday before facing Jurrjens Tuesday.