Buster Posey played catch Saturday, and if those five words made you feel better, imagine how Posey felt after doing baseball work on the field at AT&T Park for the first time since his season-ending collision on May 25.

A big deal?

"Absolutely," said Posey, who got the word Friday that head trainer Dave Groeschner was ready to see Posey throw a baseball from about 60 feet.

"I never would have thought I'd be that excited driving to the field to play catch for seven minutes," he said. "It was a big confidence boost to get back out there, even for something as simple as playing catch."

The milestones are coming fast and furious for the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year.

Posey already has been squatting for two weeks to help loosen his legs. Within a week, he hopes to start hitting off a tee, and about the same time plans to fly to Arizona to continue his rehabilitation, aiming to catch a bullpen session during the fall or instructional leagues. Then he'll head home to Georgia for the winter. There, he has a batting cage at his house and brother and sister who can pitch to him.

He said the squatting has been painful, but he can feel his legs loosening.

Overall, Posey has not had setbacks since the initial surgery to repair three torn ligaments. Given how much work he still must do to prepare for 2012, the start of spring training is visible on the horizon already.

"It'll be here quickly," he said. "I'm happy with the progress I've made so far. The next three or four weeks, when I'm able to do more functional stuff, it's going to be better and better."

Briefly: Barry Zito will test his foot and ankle with fielding practice today. If all goes well, he will be activated off the disabled list. ... Tim Lincecum is the first Giant in 96 years with six winless starts in which he pitched at least seven innings and allowed one or no runs. ... Friday's win was the Dodgers' 500th under general manager Ned Colletti, against 453 losses.

Giants on deck Today vs. Dodgers 1:05 p.m. CSNBA Lilly (9-13) vs. Bumgarner (10-12) Monday vs. Padres 7:15 p.m. CSNBA Harang (13-5) vs. Surkamp (1-0) Tuesday vs. Padres 7:15 p.m. CSNBA Luebke (5-9) vs. Cain (11-10)