San Francisco Giants notebook: Edgar Renteria still expected to play shortstop despite a torn

Edgar Renteria is expected to start at shortstop again for the Giants today despite a completely torn biceps tendon in his left arm.

Renteria, who missed time in August with a strain in the biceps, said his arm actually feels better since he tore the tendon from the bone while taking a swing in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against Atlanta.

The injury is to his non-throwing arm, and the right-handed hitter said after Monday's workout at AT&T Park that he's able to swing the bat OK.

Did it hurt when it happened?

"It hurt, but (a game is) only three hours," Renteria said. "You have to play and focus."

Renteria's availability is crucial for the Giants, as Juan Uribe, the starting shortstop during their first five postseason games, missed Sunday's Game 2 of the NLCS with a left wrist injury.

If Uribe can go today, manager Bruce Bochy indicated Renteria would draw a second straight start at shortstop and Uribe would shift to third. If Uribe can't play, Pablo Sandoval is likely to play third with Renteria at short.

Renteria has appeared in three of the Giants' six postseason games and is 2 for 6.

It seems to defy logic that Renteria, 35, could play capably with what appears to be a significant injury.

But the pain from a biceps injury can actually lessen when the tendon tears from the bone in the arm or shoulder, according to Giants trainer Dave Groeschner.

Many athletes have had surgery to intentionally cut the tendon from the bone and relieve pain, including quarterback Brett Favre.

"(Renteria) did it on his own," Groeschner said.

Outfielder Cody Ross has grabbed the Phillies' attention with three homers in the first two games of the NLCS. But his hitting display is nothing new to Philadelphia.

Ross faced the Phillies plenty while a member of the Florida Marlins, and his 13 homers against them in the regular season are his most versus any major league team.

Cole Hamels, who takes the ball today for Philadelphia in Game 3, said he's watched video of Ross' four postseason homers trying to gain an edge.

"I'd say two of them were (were located where the pitchers) wanted, and he hit them out. And two were just pitches that were mistakes and he was able to hit them out," Hamels said. " "... I guess I'm almost happy he left the Marlins because I don't have to face him as much."

Much is made of the thunder in Philadelphia's lineup, but the Phillies have hurt the Giants on the bases as well. They stole three bases Sunday.

Two of those came when Chase Utley and Placido Polanco executed a double steal against reliever Jeremy Affeldt that helped key a four-run seventh inning.

"One thing they know how to do is when to steal," Affeldt said. "I think they understand counts. They know what counts to steal in if they're looking at breaking ball counts. If you're not conscious of them they can do some damage, but they also get you overly conscious of them."

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he's considering keeping Utley in the No. 2 spot in his order with Polanco hitting third. Manuel flip-flopped the two for Sunday's game and liked the results. "... Manuel added that he still plans to start right-hander Joe Blanton in Game 4 but left some wiggle room to possibly bring back Game 1 starter Roy Halladay on short rest depending on how today's game goes.