Giants Promote Rookie Sanchez As Posey's Backup; Belt, Pill Make Squad
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/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 to the New York Yankees for right-handed minor league reliever George Kontos. That move brings the roster to the 25-player limit for opening day Friday at defending division champion Arizona.
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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. Belt could start at first base opening day.
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