Posey works in bullpen, stays on IL

ST. LOUIS — Buster Posey caught Jake McGee’s bullpen session Thursday at Busch Stadium and it all went well, but the Giants decided against activating the AllStar catcher from the injured list for the first game of a series against the Cardinals.

Posey has not played since July 5 because of a left thumb bone bruise. The team had hoped he might be ready to go Friday, but the Giants decided that they want him to be able to start behind the plate when he returns, not just serve as a pinchhitter.

“He’s still feeling a little bit of trepidation and some soreness and we just want to make sure that when he gets back there for the first time he’s healthy and at his best,” manager Gabe Kapler said at Busch Stadium. “We’re taking it day to day and the moment that Buster feels strong and ready and healthy, and we feel like we can protect him and keep him that way, he’ll be back in the lineup.”

The Giants had appeared to be on the upswing when it came to their health, with second baseman Tommy La Stella starting a rehab assignment at TripleA Sacramento just before the break and third baseman Evan Longoria potentially returning from a shoulder injury before the end of the month.

Instead, La Stella returned to the Bay Area because of continued soreness in his right thumb, which has a hairline fracture. He was examined by Dr. Scott Hansen, who said that there are no structural concerns and recommended two or three days of limited activity. Kapler said there are not any major concerns about La Stella’s progress and he’s likely to resume his rehab assignment soon.

However, Longoria, who last played June 5, was moved to the 60day IL because he is still not quite ready to do baseball activity — particularly swinging a bat — with intensity.

“There’s going to come a time when Longo is going to turn the corner and start accelerating,” Kapler said. “We’re just not quite there yet.”

Outfielder Mike Tauchman (knee) did come off the IL on Friday.

Jackson promoted: Reliever Jay Jackson, who has pitched for the Padres and Brewers, was called up after wowing the team with his performance at TripleA Sacramento. Jackson returned from hamstring surgery — the muscle retracted and part of it had to be removed — a month ago and worked 11 scoreless innings with 18 strikeouts, with opponents batting .083 against him.

“His stuff plays,” catcher Chadwick Tromp said. “He’s a veteran, and he’s been dealing down there. He’s going to help this team a lot. His slider is nasty, disgusting.”