SAN FRANCISCO -- Nerve irritation in Buster Posey's right thumb took a big bat out of the Giants lineup on Tuesday night.
Posey said he's day-to-day and will continue to get treatment for an issue that has plagued him off and on throughout the season. Manager Bruce Bochy indicated that he'll hold Posey out of Wednesday's lineup too, giving him five full days to heal since the Giants are off Thursday.
"We're trying to get it to calm down," Posey said. "I don't think it's anything too crazy. It's one of those deals where if I don't make great contact it acts up."
Posey got a scheduled rest day Sunday and the Giants were off Monday. That wasn't enough to get him in the lineup for the opener against the Red Sox. Posey was a late scratch, with Trevor Brown inserted at catcher. If Posey misses Wednesday's game it'll be the first time since 2014 that Madison Bumgarner takes the mound with a different catcher.
Posey said he's available to pinch-hit Tuesday if needed. He's batting .257 this season with eight homers and 26 RBI.
"If you look at the numbers and hard contact, Buster is right up there as far as making consistent hard contact," Bochy said when asked if the thumb has lessoned Posey's production. "It may effect some power, obviously. If that hand is not right you're going to lose some power."
The Giants are already without Angel Pagan (hamstring) and Hunter Pence (hamstring). Pagan had a good day of rehab Tuesday and could start a minor league assignment as soon as Monday, but he's not expected to be ready for big league action until the next road trip, starting June 17 in Tampa Bay.
