Infield situation more cluttered than ever

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Even though the Giants still have many possibilities for their infield, manager Bruce Bochy said the answers are coming soon.

"By the time we leave here, we'll have a real good idea," said Bochy, whose team departs Arizona on Wednesday morning.

After the Giants' 5-2 exhibition loss to the Rangers on Sunday, Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean were to huddle with the staff and find answers to the ever-changing infield situation.

Among the developments Sunday:

Newly acquired infielder Jose Castillo started at shortstop, and Bochy indicated his performance there could change the team's plans to start Brian Bocock at short while Omar Vizquel is out.

Castillo is scheduled to play third today in Tucson.

Dan Ortmeier had another rough day at the plate, with a popup, a double-play grounder and a grounder that he beat out for an infield hit. Ortmeier is hitting .238. When Bochy was asked if the Giants are prepared to let him take his lumps in the regular season, he said: "We're going to talk about that. That's a decision I can't answer right now."

The problem there is that if the Giants chose not to keep Ortmeier -- either trading him or trying to get him through waivers to Triple A -- they would have no backup to Rich Aurilia at first base.

Ray Durham was again unable to play because of a tight left hamstring. He has missed four consecutive games, and he is not likely to play today.

Although Durham went through a workout and said he feels confident he'll be ready for opening day, Bochy said he's not progressing as quickly as the Giants had hoped and the disabled list remains a possibility.

Kevin Frandsen, who has missed seven consecutive games because of a sore Achilles, went through a full workout and is scheduled to play third base -- not second -- in a minor-league game today.

Eugenio Velez, the only infielder who has produced offensively and been healthy all spring, went hitless, but had a good day defensively at second. He made all the routine plays and turned two double plays. Bochy reiterated that the Giants are going to look for an opportunity to give him some time in the outfield.

The whole situation was muddled enough even before Castillo arrived, and now it is so complicated that even the players are shaking their heads.

"I'm just glad I'm not in charge," Durham said. "I just work here."

Castillo, who arrived after a cross-country flight one day after he was scratched from the Marlins lineup, said he didn't know much about the Giants' plans.

"I don't know what they want to do," Castillo said. "I just came here to work hard and I'll see what they want to do."

He did get an endorsement from Vizquel, who played with him in Venezuela over the winter. Castillo won the Venezuelan Winter League batting title.

"He was awesome from Day 1," Vizquel said. "He really showed a lot of dedication. He's a great addition for this team . . . You need those kinds of guys in the NL, a guy who is ready to play everywhere."

Added Durham: "He's a veteran, not just a guy to come off the bench. He's been an everyday player in the big leagues and he's done well in the big leagues."

Castillo has played mostly second in his four major-league seasons with the Pirates, but last year he played a majority of his games at third base. He also played one game in the outfield, and he spent all winter playing outfield. This spring he was playing mostly third in Marlins camp.

You can reach Staff Writer Jeff Fletcher at 521-5489 or jeff.fletcher@pressdemocrat.com.