Brad Penny believes the San Francisco Giants are on the cusp of something special, and he wouldn’t mind being a part of it.

“This team is really, really close,” said Penny, who will make his final start of the season on Wednesday. “They’re missing a piece here or there, and really, that’s it. They will be incredible.”
Penny has been masterful in four of five starts for the Giants after clearing release waivers from the Boston Red Sox. He is 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA, but those numbers were marred by an early exit at Dodger Stadium in which he allowed seven runs in 2·innings.
Penny strengthened his free-agent credentials, confirming the notion that he can still thrive in the National League.
“I was hoping to pitch in the playoffs, but coming here has been great,” Penny said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to join a rotation this good. The coaches, everyone, have all been good to me.”
Penny prefers to play for a West Coast team and could see himself with the Giants next season, but he sounded like a man who will let market forces determine his fate.
“We’ll see,” Penny said. “I’ve loved it here, but I haven’t thought about next year yet.”
—Freddy Sanchez will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on Wednesday after receiving a second opinion from the Kerlan-Jobe clinic in Los Angeles. Giants orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki will perform the arthroscopic procedure, which has a typical recovery time of four to six weeks.
—While Andres Torres was telling a reporter of his plans to play for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican league this winter, infielder Kevin Frandsen overheard the conversation and began to chirp.
“Don’t play me too shallow,” joked Frandsen, who will play for Giganges de Carolina.
“Don’t hit it to center field,” replied Torres, smiling.
—Shortstop Edgar Renteria said he and the Giants made the right decision to have elbow surgery on Saturday instead of waiting until the end of the season. Renteria is receiving follow-up care and squeezing an exercise ball. He plans to spend the next five weeks doing rehab in Miami before he can begin serious weight training.