Pagan could start rehab stint this week

WASHINGTON -- Center fielder Angel Pagan's recovery from his strained left hamstring has progressed so rapidly that he could begin playing in Minor League injury-rehabilitation games by the end of this week, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday.

Dave Groeschner, the Giants' head athletic trainer, presented the encouraging report after checking on Pagan at the organization's training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., during Monday's off-day.

Bochy even said that Pagan could rejoin the Giants before Sept. 1, which reflects wild optimism. Players must be on the 25-man roster by then to qualify for postseason participation.

Pagan was expected to be sidelined for 10 to 12 weeks when he underwent surgery on June 25, a timetable that threatened to sideline him for the rest of the year. In 46 games before being shelved, San Francisco's leadoff batter hit .262 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and 30 runs scored.