Marco Scutaro, Jeremy Affeldt to the DL

The first name we expected. The second name ... we expected at some point, I'm sure. First, Marco Scutaro is on the disabled list for his back issues, which is almost a pleasant surprise. I would have put money on him starting the season on the roster and playing once every five days, with Madison Bumgarner pinch-hitting in the 10th inning because of the short-handed roster. Instead, there's time for back-replacement surgery. Or rest. Whichever direction they go.

Scutaro's injury means the infield battle is effectively over, with Joaquin Arias, Ehire Adrianza, and Brandon Hicks claiming the utility infield spots. The more I look at Hicks, the more I see a Brett Pill-type who can fill in at short. There are worse things. Like the actual Brett Pill, though I wish him the best in Korea. Curious to see if Hicks can have one of those freaky five-homer months while walking once for every 20 times he strikes out. Those are always fun.

Jeremy Affeldt is also going on the DL with a bum ligament in his knee. He usually wears a knee brace -- it was kind of a big deal when he started using it in 2012, and then the Giants won the World Series, which is probably related -- but he didn't have it on, and he felt a twinge in his last outing.

Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces. Bullpen. Affeldt's knee braces.

Sorry.

This is likely good news for David Huff, who should make the roster as a second lefty/long man. He actually has freaky reverse platoon splits in the majors and minors, though most of that was as a starter. According to Pavlovic, the battle for the last couple spots is between J.C. Gutierrez, Jean Machi, and Derek Law. Preseason contenders Heath Hembree and George Kontos aren't going to make the team. Feels like Hembree was the heir apparent to Greg Minton at one point.

As someone who prides himself on the newest, shiniest things, I'm on Team Law, but that's been true since last October.