Ortmeier won't start, Alfonzo won't stick

Harry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle
Now is the time for managers to have very difficult conversations with some players who toiled for six weeks in spring training.

In the last two days, first baseman Daniel Ortmeier and catcher Eliezer Alfonzo found themselves on the unhappy end of those conversations.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Ortmeier on Friday that he would not start at first base in Monday's season opener at Los Angeles.

Rich Aurilia will play first base, with newcomer Jose Castillo starting at third.

When spring training began, the first base job was Ortmeier's to lose.

At best, after hitting .240 in the exhibitions, he will share the position with Aurilia. At least Ortmeier will be on the team. Alfonzo is going to Triple-A Fresno. He was demoted after Saturday's 6-2 loss to the A's. Alfonzo hit .091 this spring. The Alfonzo move leaves 28-year-old organizational player Steve Holm as the only catcher besides Bengie Molina still on the team, but Bochy declined to name Holm his backup catcher, suggesting the team might have a deal in mind for a more experienced player.