Burrell’s start Wednesday might be last of career

From the moment Pat Burrell arrived with the Giants in June of last year, he and manager Bruce Bochy got along famously.

Burrell respected the way Bochy trusted his players to police the clubhouse. Bochy valued Burrell’s ability to imbue the room with confidence.

So when Burrell asked to start in left field in the regular-season finale Wednesday, very likely suiting up for the final time as a big leaguer, Bochy didn’t hesitate to grant the request.

“When he came over, it changed us,” Bochy said. “And when he wasn’t here, we missed him. Even if he’s not hitting the ball out, he finds ways to get walks, get on base, grind out at-bats.”

Burrell will give his chronic foot strain a month to improve this winter before making any decisions. Even if the injury allows him to play again, the 34-year-old and 12-year veteran has said he would return only to the Giants.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next year, and if there was something at stake, I wouldn’t ask,” Burrell said. “Now that we’re winding down, I kind of politicked my way into it.”

Burrell also presented Bochy a gift — a huge, hairy, brown musk ox pelt that is currently adorning the floor of the manager’s office. It looks like someone scalped Chewbacca, and truth be told, Bochy isn’t sure it ties the room together.

“Don’t tell him, but it’s going on eBay as soon as the

season’s over,” Bochy said.

D.L. possible for Beltran; Schierholtz also hurting

The Giants will begin a grinding, 10-game trip with no idea about the health of their right fielders.

Carlos Beltran remained sidelined for a third consecutive day because of a strained right hand, with the disabled list an acknowledged possibility if he cannot play Friday in Florida.

Now Nate Schierholtz is taking a bakery ticket in the trainer’s room, too. He hurt his right hip flexor while scoring on Cody Ross’ hit Tuesday night and said he was concerned about the severity of the injury.

“I hope it’s only a day or two,” Schierholtz said. “But I don’t know. It doesn’t feel good.”

Neither player was available off the bench, leaving manager Bruce Bochy very short-handed in Wednesday’s 9-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Although Bochy was optimistic Beltran could play Friday, the Giants’ key trade-deadline acquisition wasn’t so sure. He said he tried to swing a bat but continued to feel pain in his hand.

Is he questionable for Friday?

“Yeah, probably,” Beltran said.

Bochy acknowledged the 15-day disabled list could come into play if Beltran’s hand issue lingers.

Ross started in right field Wednesday, and Aaron Rowand started in left. If either Beltran or Schierholtz goes on the D.L., it’s possible rookie Brandon Belt could be recalled to play the outfield.