SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Brandon Crawford bobbled the first ground ball hit to him Monday, Joey Gallo's first-inning smash that found the Giants shortstop playing a few paces to the right-field side of second base in an overshifted alignment.
"I think it sped up on me," Crawford said after the Giants' 5-4 exhibition loss to the Texas Rangers. "It's a quick infield."
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The mild misplay shouldn't have been surprising, since Crawford was appearing in his first Cactus League game on defense. A jammed right index finger had prevented Crawford from making his spring defensive debut earlier. He had appeared in four games as a designated hitter.
Winner of the National League's last three Gold Glove Awards for fielding excellence at his position, Crawford maintained the presence of mind to flip the ball to second base for a forceout.
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Crawford, who probably will begin playing every other day in his quest to prepare for the March 29 regular-season opener at Los Angeles, handled one other ground ball directly. He said his afflicted finger felt fine on all throws.
"It's not 100 percent yet, but it was definitely good enough to play out there," Crawford said.
Position battle
Nobody knows what position best suits Kyle Jensen. Quite soon, the Giants might consider trying to find him one. The first baseman increased his team-leading home run total to five with a pinch-hit, eighth-inning clout off Tony Barnette.
Injury update
Manager Bruce Bochy said catcher Buster Posey, who has appeared in two innings behind the plate this spring, will begin playing defensively Wednesday against San Diego following Tuesday's scheduled off-day.