Cabrera decision due

The Giants are expected to announce Thursday that Melky Cabrera will not play in the National League Championship Series or the World Series, if they get that far, after the left fielder completes his 50-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Under the joint drug agreement, Cabrera becomes eligible to play in the Giants’ sixth postseason game, but the club has two reasons to decide now: to end the debate and to guide Cabrera on whether he should prepare to play. Under the rules, the Giants could place Cabrera on a rehab assignment as soon as Saturday.

“I think he needs to know and we need to know,” manager Bruce Bochy said.

Bochy offered a huge hint of which way this will go during his weekly interview on SiriusXM’s “Inside Pitch” program, suggesting Cabrera could not prepare adequately now that the minor-league season is done and the only pitchers he would face would be in instructional league.

“It’s not like he can play anywhere … face some good competition on the rehab,” Bochy said. “That’s what you have to look at. When you bring back somebody who’s been on the DL for an extended period it takes time to be ready. It’s not that easy a game.

“Of course you’re looking at the guys that you have. ( Gregor) Blanco’s done a good job, and ( Xavier) Nady, he’s really coming on and swinging the bat well. … That’s what we have to look at. What’s going to be more valuable to us? Somebody who hasn’t been playing or the guys who have been here playing, and things have been going well here.”

Cabrera could grieve the decision through the Players Association, but that is not expected. In fact, it’s possible the Giants and Cabrera will make a joint statement on the resolution.

Buster Posey said management has not asked for his opinion. He said a quick decision would be “a good idea. That way you get rid of the speculation one way or the other.”