SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants catcher Buster Posey might rejoin the lineup as soon as Thursday after being scratched from Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a stiff neck.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he would play Posey in Thursday's split-squad game against the Chicago White Sox in Scottsdale, assuming the four-time All-Star's condition continues to improve.
"He said he was feeling better," Bochy said, referring to Posey, after the Giants fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-6.
Posey has appeared in only two Cactus League games and has gone hitless in two at-bats. But Bochy believed Posey still can be suitably prepared to perform for the United States, along with Giants teammate Brandon Crawford, in the World Baseball Classic. Posey and Crawford are expected to leave the Giants and join the U.S. squad by around the end of this week.
"His legs are ready," Bochy said of Posey. "He's in great shape. He said his legs feel as good as they ever have at this point in Spring Training."
Tim Federowicz replaced Posey behind the plate against the Dodgers.