WASHINGTON -- Giants catchers Buster Posey and Nick Hundley have formed one of the most productive offensive partnerships at any position in the Major Leagues.
Entering Sunday's series finale against the Washington Nationals, Posey and Hundley had combined to hit .289, best in the bigs from the catching spot. They also ranked among NL leaders in on-base percentage (.347, fourth), slugging percentage (.466, second), OPS (.813, second) and RBIs (36, tied for second).
Any group of players including Posey, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner and a five-time All-Star, is bound to rank highly. In this case, Hundley's influence on the hitting statistics is undeniable, given the division of labor. Hundley has started 22 games behind the plate, a significant number even when compared with Posey's 43.
"I think more than anything, we have a guy [Hundley] who was a regular catcher in the Major Leagues and has benefited from being in this role a couple of times," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Player Updates
• Bochy said that first baseman Brandon Belt, who's recovering from appendicitis, will start swinging a bat Monday. Belt hasn't played since June 1.
• Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija are expected to throw 40 pitches apiece in their respective bullpen sessions Monday in Miami.
• Bochy said that Alen Hanson will begin taking fielding practice in the outfield to build depth at the position. Hanson played two innings in the outfield for the Giants earlier this season and started 23 games as an outfielder last year for the White Sox -- five in left, six in center and 12 in right.
• Center fielder Gorkys Hernandez was out of Sunday's lineup, feeling sore after being struck in his left rib cage by a pitch on Saturday. Bochy said that Hernandez would be available to pinch hit.