Bochy talks to NL All-Star skipper La Russa

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PITTSBURGH -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy spoke by phone with NL All-Star skipper Tony La Russa, but they didn't spend most of the conversation talking about Matt Cain's case to start or Buster Posey's ability to catch the knuckleball.

La Russa wanted to know about Melky Cabrera.

"We spent a lot of time on the outfield situation," Bochy said.

La Russa lacks an everyday center fielder in his starting lineup of Cabrera, Carlos Beltran and Ryan Braun. Cabrera has played center in the past, as has Beltran. La Russa wanted to get a feel for which player would be more comfortable in that spot.

It's likely that the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, a starting center fielder, would enter the game before long.

As for choosing a starting pitcher, La Russa told Bochy that it remains a topic of conversation. with former Cardlinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.

"He did say they're still debating, he and Duncan," Bochy said.

With Yadier Molina out of the game, it's likely that Buster Posey could end up working with Cain, New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and perhaps someone like the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg.

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In other pregame news, Bochy said Santiago Casilla's status was the same as Friday. He is technically available but Bochy would prefer to stay away from him because of a blister on his pitching hand.

Sergio Romo, despite pitching 2 13 innings over the last two games, is available to pitch and likely would serve as closer again, subject to matchups.

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Bochy indicated he's leaning toward having Hector Sanchez work with Tim Lincecum for the fourth consecutive time on Sunday. That's a move dictated by the weather, more than anything. It's 97 degrees and smoking outside; the coaches hustled the players off the field after a very abbreviated batting practice session.

Bochy didn't want to overtax Posey by having him catch consecutive games in these conditions, especially when he won't get much of an All-Star break. It's 101 degrees in Kansas City, too.

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