Major League Baseball

Players get back to ball at nighttime workout

Published Oct. 15, 2010 10:11 a.m. ET

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Citizens Bank Park held an odd sight Thursday night. Major-league ballplayers were playing catch and running in the cold and drizzle in an almost darkened stadium.

When the Giants' plane landed, they had an optional workout ahead of today's mandatory workout. Most of the team came to the ballpark, save for Game 1 starter Tim Lincecum, who really had no reason to be there, and some of the older regulars such as Freddy Sanchez, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell.

Maybe those who showed up were going stir-crazy without baseball, as many fans are. The National League Championship Series begins Saturday even though the Phillies and Giants ended their Division Series on Sunday and Monday.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the time off actually helps.

"We had a long flight home from Atlanta, so we needed Tuesday off," Bochy said. "We had a good workout Wednesday, and of course we had to fly here back east. We're putting some miles on. The days off are not a bad thing. It gets guys a chance to catch up."

Roster and rotation: Bochy made a stronger statement that Madison Bumgarner will start Game 4 rather than Lincecum on short rest. On Wednesday, Bochy said Bumgarner was "penciled in."

Asked if there was any contingency for Lincecum to take Game 4, such as an 0-3 deficit in the series, Bochy said, "Right now, no. That doesn't mean you might not have to tweak it a little bit, call an audible. Right now that's the plan."

Bochy said a recurring blister on Lincecum's pitching hand is not a factor. In fact, Lincecum told Bochy before Game 3 of the Division Series that he was ready to pitch on short rest the next night had the Giants faced elimination.

Bochy plans to meet with general manager Brian Sabean and pitching coach Dave Righetti again today to decide if they will add a left-hander such as Dan Runzler or Barry Zito to the bullpen to face the left-heavy Phillies, which would mean a right-hander Guillermo Mota? being removed.

The staff also is contemplating whether to add a speed guy for the bench.

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