Huff could see middle relief with Affeldt out

SAN FRANCISCO -- Manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged that he would consider using left-hander David Huff to pitch middle relief while Jeremy Affeldt, who normally would fill that role, recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"Actually, that is something we did discuss," Bochy said Friday, indicating that he might use Huff in the sixth or seventh inning on occasion.

Though Huff has spent most of his professional career as a starter, he appeared in relief on back-to-back days last year on May 21-22 for the Indians and on Sept. 1-2 with the Yankees.

"That's not probably his niche, to be honest," Bochy said, referring to Huff's suitability as a short reliever. Huff began the spring as a long-relief candidate. "But I like the way he's throwing the ball. It gives us some options until we get Jeremy back."