Posey's return date set while Bochy offers hint at possible regular Giants lineup

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SCOTTSDALE -- Madison Bumgarner didn't look at the lineup card Wednesday morning, but his eyes grew a bit wider when he looked at the other starters warming up a few hours later. Bumgarner, the day's starting pitcher, was pleased to see Bruce Bochy go with most of the projected starting lineup. 

There was one exception, but that will change soon. Buster Posey will start Friday after being held out for nearly all of the first two weeks of action. Posey has been nursing a tweaked left ankle. He was supposed to play Wednesday after a day off but he hasn't had a chance to test his ankle on the bases yet.

"Could he have played today? Yeah," Bochy said. "We could've pushed him but we wanted to give him a couple days."

Posey has just two at-bats and two innings caught this spring, but Bochy said there isn't any concern. He should still get the necessary at-bats, and they'll likely come among other stars.

"No question I do (want to get the lineup together)," Bochy said. "It was close today. Before we leave we'll have them all out there (together)."

Bochy wouldn't say where Posey would hit in a full lineup, but he offered a different hint Wednesday. Joe Panik hit first and Brandon Belt was in the two-spot, and Bochy said it's "very possible" that the two hit in those spots against right-handed starters.

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