The San Francisco Giants are eager to have Buster Posey back behind the plate this season - and stay there.

Posey tore three ligaments in his left ankle and broke a bone in his lower leg in a home-plate collision with the Marlins' Scott Cousins last May, costing the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year the entire 2011 season.

Posey was in camp with the team in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday but won't be catching just yet. He will take part in other baseball activities until manager Bruce Bochy decides he's ready.

Bochy plans to take a conservative approach with his catcher going forward, including not having Posey block the plate when a player is trying to score.

"I'll take this out of Buster's hands," Bochy told reporters Sunday. "As a manager, that's my job. I certainly don't want people to think he's backing off on his own. It's something we'll work on with him this spring."

Bochy, a former catcher himself, wants Posey to be "defensive" about his body while still attempting to tag out runners at home plate.

"I've already talked to Buster about this. There are ways to make the tag without putting yourself in jeopardy,'' Bochy said, according to USA Today. "I don't want him to block the plate right now."

Bochy indicated it's possible Posey could play in the Giants Cactus League opener on March 3 vs. the defending NL West champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 2010, Posey batted .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI in 108 games and said his swing is already returning to form.