Earlier this afternoon, I was told that Aubrey Huff would return from his personal absence in time for tonight’s game against the Reds. Later, manager Bruce Bochy told us Huff won’t be here. Whatever the situation, it’s obviously fluid.

“I don’t have any news,” Bochy said. “He’s still taking care of a personal matter, so he will not be here tonight.”

If you’re looking here for a definitive answer on what exactly the issue is, you won’t find it right now. The team is not saying, and even in this TMZ/Deadspin culture Huff has a right to privacy if this is related to his physical or mental health, the health of his family or any other intimate reason.

On the other hand, the fans have the right to know if Huff just bolted because he was unhappy with his role, or embarrassed about being forced to play second base Saturday, or didn’t like wearing No. 17 anymore. Bochy just assured us that none of that is the case. I asked him point-blank if the reason for this absence is legitimate, and he said, “Oh yeah.”

He also indicated that Huff is not in any kind of legal trouble.

I suspect we’ll know more soon, maybe even later tonight. Bochy did not take his usual place behind the cage for the Giants’ batting practice. He went to his office to discuss the issue with general manager Brian Sabean. When he emerged, he had another conversation with vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans and head trainer Dave Groeschner, who was on the phone and at one point handed the phone to Bochy for a few moments.

Since I am not a member of the New Orleans Saints front office, I did not have the wherewithal to hear what they were discussing, whether it was Huff or something else.

Bochy said there was no immediate plan to place Huff on the seven-day personal leave list but would discuss it with Sabean. As for being short-handed for tonight’s game, Bochy said, “We’re fine. We’ve got coverage everywhere, I think.”

In a separate matter, Bochy said he and Sabean have not decided what to do about a starting pitcher for Friday night. They will need a spot starter because Tim Lincecum, who was supposed to pitch Friday against the Padres, must be pushed back because his scheduled New York start Sunday was rained out and he pitched in the Monday doubleheader.

Bochy said a bullpen game is possible, with Guillermo Mota likely starting, but the staff has the luxury of waiting until after Thursday’s series finale in Cincinnati to see how worn the bullpen is. If they need a pitcher from Fresno, such as Brian Burres or Travis Blackley, there would be plenty of time to get him to San Francisco by Friday night.