Edgardo

Alfonzo

Consider Alfonzo day-to-day.

“He is what he is, a late-season hitter, just like (Brett) Tomko is a late-season pitcher,” manager Felipe Alou said. “I don’t know where that comes from. We need to have him do it now.” Fonzie is finally doing what was hoped for as protection for Barry Bonds. As for Tomko, who went 4-5 with a 4.98 ERA before the All-Star break, he’s 5-1 with a 3.71 since.

Alfonzo will take over the No. 2 slot in the batting order. He should still have plenty of value in 5x5 leagues, but will take a little of a hit in 4x4.

Don’t think the Giants didn’t try to move him. Alfonzo was told by manager Felipe Alou that he’ll get the majority of the starts at third base. He’ll probably need to outhit Pedro Feliz in order to get much more than 400 at-bats.

Alfonzo will be shifted to the bottom third of the lineup until he starts hitting. His struggles still don’t figure to be a long-term problem, so Alfonzo is a nice buy-low candidate.

Alfonzo said the pain started Monday and got worse in batting practice Tuesday morning. The Giants don’t believe that it’s anything serious.

His second arm problem of the spring. We’d be concerned if he was a pitcher.

Alfonzo had missed the previous two games with more soreness in his right shoulder.

About half the Giants roster is currently limited by the illness. Rich Aurilia and Andres Galarraga were also given yesterday off.

For now. Hitting with Bonds on base should, in theory, help Fonzie improve on his 738 OPS.