SAN DIEGO -- Matt Duffy already takes regular grounders at second, short and third, and fly balls in left field. Now the young utility man is adding another glove to his equipment bag.
With Brandon Belt listed as "day to day" with a right groin strain, Duffy has started taking grounders at first base and learning some of the finer points of the corner position. Manager Bruce Bochy said Duffy could start at first base as soon as Saturday. Belt likely won't be available to start until Monday at the earliest.
Bochy said he could have moved Casey McGehee across the diamond to first and put Duffy at third, where he's more comfortable, but he doesn't like putting too many players out of position. Joaquin Arias started at first base on Thursday and Buster Posey is scheduled to return there Friday, with Hector Sanchez catching Tim Lincecum.
[PAVLOVIC: Rewind: After first win, Heston in line to start home opener]
--- In other "scrambling Giants" news, the staff is optimistic that Jake Peavy (tight back) will be able to make his scheduled start Sunday.
"He's doing well," Bochy said. "His back feels so much better (after treatment). The plan is to start him Sunday."
With Peavy set to return to the rotation, Bochy met with Ryan Vogelsong, who is in a "holding pattern." Vogelsong would start if Peavy can't, but if not, he'll return to the bullpen as a long man. Rookie Chris Heston is scheduled to start Monday after an impressive six-inning performance in the series finale in Phoenix.
--- Belt took swings in the cage and BP on the field. He said his groin feels better than it did yesterday. The real test will come when Belt has to take grounders and move side to side.
--- The Padres are fired up about the home opener for their rebuilt squad and they had the music BLASTING when they took BP. It was so loud that Bochy couldn't hear questions while sitting in the dugout for his media session. When the Giants started to swing, the rock gave way to a calming organ.
"Look, we take the field and now they're putting on the Tennessee Waltz," Bochy cracked. "What's with this?"
