LOS ANGELES -- First baseman Brandon Belt's current absence from the Giants' lineup could end as soon as Tuesday, manager Bruce Bochy indicated Monday.
Bochy said "a good chance" exists that Belt's Minor League injury rehabilitation stint to test his recovery from a hyperextended right knee is essentially done. Belt was scheduled to play his second game for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.
Belt missed 13 consecutive games with appendicitis in early June just as he was beginning a productive stretch of hitting. Monday would be the 17th game in a row missed by Belt, who leads the team in home runs (14) and OPS (.842) despite his time on the disabled list.
The Giants, who entered Monday with a 59-60 overall record, are 43-39 when Belt starts.
Samardzija throws simulated game
Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder inflammation) sounded upbeat after pitching the equivalent of two innings while facing teammate Hunter Pence.
Tuesday, the Giants likely will decide whether the sidelined No. 3 starter will increase his pitch count in another simulated game or advance to an injury rehab outing.
Samardzija preceded his outing by going through a complete warmup process. "It was good to be doing that instead of just throwing a bullpen," said Samardzija, who tossed approximately 30 pitches to Pence with a break at the halfway point.
Samardzija, who's 1-5 with a 6.25 ERA in 10 starts, tested himself by throwing his entire array of pitches. "I saw a pretty good session," Bochy said.