Catcher Hector Sanchez Makes Team As Giants Finalize Roster
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rookie Hector Sanchez has earned the Giants' backup catcher job behind 2010 NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey after his impressive spring, leaving Eli Whiteside as odd man out.
San Francisco also agreed Wednesday to trade catcher Chris Stewart for a minor leaguer, with details still being finalized before the club announced the other team and player involved. That move will bring the roster to the 25-player limit for opening day Friday at defending division champion Arizona.
The 22-year-old Sanchez is a switch-hitter with power who was batting .372 with four home runs and 10 RBIs this spring heading into the exhibition finale Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, in which he was the designated hitter. Whiteside was optioned to Triple-A Fresno.
Brett Pill and Brandon Belt made the roster.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
