Giants make Molina's return official

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bengie Molina is back behind the plate with San Francisco, though the Giants aren't so sure when Freddy Sanchez will be ready to play second base. Saying he was "shocked" that he didn't draw a multiyear offer on the free-agent market, Molina returned to the Giants with a $4.5 million, one-year contract. The sides agreed to terms earlier this week and the deal was completed Friday, one day after the 35-year-old catcher passed a physical. "There was never an offer out there like we thought it was going to be," Molina said on a conference call. "Nothing developed. A lot of teams were not, like, into me." The Giants also addressed Sanchez's left shoulder injury, which might sideline him beyond opening day. Athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said Sanchez had surgery Dec. 23, information the team did not reveal until manager Bruce Bochy told a radio station on Thursday night. "We planned to announce this very soon," Groeschner explained. Doctors repaired Sanchez's torn labrum and cleaned up his AC joint, Groeschner said, adding that the normal recovery time for such a procedure is probably 10-15 weeks. The 32-year-old Sanchez has been rehabbing in Arizona with a goal of returning in time for opening day. "It's a certain possibility, but it may not happen," Groeschner said. If Sanchez isn't ready, the Giants can turn to Juan Uribe at second base after re-signing the utility infielder to a $3.25 million, one-year contract this month. Molina can earn another $1.5 million this year in performance bonuses based on games started. He's eager to catch San Francisco's young pitching staff again, though he won't have to hit cleanup anymore thanks to an improved offense. "I was just thrilled to have Bengie back. We all know what a great job he's done for us," Bochy said. "He knows our staff, our division." Molina turned down $5.5 million in guaranteed money from the New York Mets as part of a proposal that included a vesting option for 2011. But if he stays healthy, he would earn $500,000 more from the Giants this year than under New York's bid. He said if the Mets had offered two years guaranteed, there's a strong possibility he would have signed with them. "We were very clear with them at the beginning and very clear with them at the end, when nothing happened," Molina said. "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." With only one-year proposals to choose from, Molina gladly returned to San Francisco, where he and his family were comfortable. Plus, he said he thinks the Giants have a better chance to make the playoffs than the Mets. Still, the move was a surprise, because Giants general manager Brian Sabean had indicated Molina wouldn't be back for a fourth season with the team. "That ship has sailed," Sabean said at the winter meetings last month. And then it turned back. "It became a great fit. Was it expected? No," Sabean said Friday. "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms. Just an interesting twist of fate." The slow-footed Molina hit .265 with 80 RBIs and a career-high 20 home runs last season, ranking second among NL catchers in homers, RBIs and extra-base hits (44). "It's a relief knowing what transpired because there wasn't another offensive catcher out there," Sabean said. Molina is a .276 career hitter with 139 home runs and 675 RBIs in 12 big league seasons with the Angels, Blue Jays and Giants (2007-09). He won consecutive Gold Glove awards in 2002-03 with Anaheim. A three-time All-Star and the 2006 NL batting champion with Pittsburgh, Sanchez was acquired July 29 in a trade but played in only 25 games for San Francisco because of injuries to his left shoulder and left knee. He had knee surgery late in the season and signed a $12 million, two-year contract with the Giants on Oct. 30. Sanchez had an MRI before signing the new deal, but the Giants didn't think he needed shoulder surgery. "MRIs are not perfect," Groeschner said. "It's not just, get an MRI, read it and go. There's a lot of interpretation involved." While rehabbing from the knee surgery, Sanchez started his offseason conditioning and baseball activities. That's when he felt serious discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder. "Freddy's obviously sensitive. He wants to get back out there," Groeschner said. "He's probably right where he should be, or a little ahead of schedule." Sanchez batted .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs last season in 111 games for Pittsburgh and San Francisco. NOTES: To make room for Molina on the 40-man roster, the Giants designated first baseman Jesus Guzman for assignment.