Sanchez still deciding on surgery

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area Major League Baseball players.

Freddy Sanchez (Glendale Community College, 1998) second baseman, San Francisco Giants: Despite not having Sanchez, a former National League batting champion and All-Star in the lineup since June 10 when he suffered a dislocated right shoulder diving for a ground ball, the defending-champion Giants remain in first place in the National League's West Division.

San Francisco would like to have Sanchez in the lineup, but is in a holding pattern.

Sanchez and the Giants (57-42) are still waiting to find out if he will return this season. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Sanchez and San Francisco aren't any closer to reaching a decision as to whether Sanchez will undergo surgery or continue rehabilitation in Arizona.

"We've got to decide in the next week or two," Giants trainer Dave Groeschner told the Mercury News on Saturday.

Sanchez opted not to have surgery shortly after the injury occurred and chose rehabbing the shoulder in the chance of him returning to the lineup.

San Francisco General Manager Brian Sabean had a backup plan in case Sanchez doesn't return, acquiring second baseman Jeff Keppinger from the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

If Sanchez has surgery, he would need about eight months to recover, Groeschner told the Mercury News. He might miss part of next season while recovering, though he's reportedly been taking batting practice in an indoor cage and playing catch.

Sanchez is batting .289 (69 for 239) with three home runs and 24 runs batted in this season. In 60 games, he's recorded 15 doubles and scored 21 runs. He sports a .988 fielding percentage.

Brandon McCarthy (Glendale native) starting pitcher, Oakland Athletics: McCarthy struggled in his most recent start, giving up four runs and six hits in five-plus innings against the host Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. The right-hander received a no-decision, as Oakland went on to register a 7-5 victory.

McCarthy faced 22 batters and threw 85 pitches, including 57 for strikes before being relieved by Joey Devine. He struck out four.

McCarthy said he had trouble adjusting to the weather conditions, as the heat index reached 99 degrees.

"I've never felt like that before," McCarthy told the Associated Press. "It was like pitching while wearing a heavy blanket. I never got comfortable."