UPDATE: Manager Bruce Bochy said something interesting after tonight’s 6-2 win against Texas, in which Matt Cain allowed two runs in seven innings.

Management said early in camp that Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart were competing for one backup catcher job and it was unlikely the Giants could carry Hector Sanchez as a third catcher. Tonight, when asked if there was any way they would carry Sanchez as the lone backup, Bochy said that is being discussed.

If so, that would be a huge shift in thinking brought about not only by Sanchez’s bat, which is clearly the strongest of the three, and a big improvement behind the plate. The Giants had said they wanted the 22-year-old switch-hitter to go to Fresno to work on his defense. Just goes to show how a good spring can help a young player.

“Hector’s played great ball and he’s caught real well,” Bochy said. “We like Whitey and Stew. I can’t answer that question right now.”

Bochy said he and GM Bran Sabean pretty much have a final 25-man roster in mind. But things do change, especially due to injury, so don’t expect any swift announcements.

Here is the original post:

The Giants have decided to carry 12 pitchers into the regular season, even though they will use four starters the first time through the rotation, because they do not want to overtax their staff in six games at Arizona and Colorado, manager Bruce Bochy just said.

That means they plan to pick a pitcher to replace Ryan Vogelsong, who is expected to start the year on the disabled list, and carry eight relievers for a spell.

That is good news for 27-year-old right-hander Dan Otero and 30-year-old right-hander Jean Machi, who have had excellent camps and now might be considered for that extra pitching spot. Steve Edlefsen is still in big-league camp, so he is also in consideration. It is not unreasonable to speculate that Yusmeiro Petit, who has pitched eight shutout innings coming up from minor-league camp, could be considered.

This is bad news for bubble hitters such as Brandon Belt, Brett Pill or Hector Sanchez. It’s hard to carry a third catcher on a five-man bench. Belt’s best shot is a decision to give him an everyday job.

The Giants will carry either Eli Whiteside or Chris Stewart as a backup catcher. Assuming Emmanuel Burriss starts at second base, they also need to carry two reserve middle infielders from a group that includes Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot and Joaquin Arias. Gregor Blanco is on the team. That leaves one bench spot for a group that includes Belt, Sanchez and Brett Pill.

In other news: