Giants hoping for boost as Sandoval returns Monday
Pagan likely to get second opinion on hamstring in Los Angeles
SAN FRANCISCO -- After concluding a two-game rehab assignment with four hits (two home runs) Saturday, Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval will be activated Monday in Los Angeles, manager Bruce Bochy said.
Sandoval, out since June 8 with a strained tendon in his left foot, will return to a Giants lineup desperate for offense. Prior to the injury, Sandoval was hitting .289 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs.
"It certainly should do something for the club," said Bochy, whose team has lost six of nine games. "We need a lift right now. He's a big presence in the lineup and hopefully it will keep guys from trying to do too much."
In a corresponding move, the Giants optioned infielder Nick Noonan to Triple-A Fresno.
"He's played well, has options and just needs to play every day," Bochy said.
Injured outfielder Angel Pagan said Sunday that he will "almost for sure" receive a second opinion on his aggravated left hamstring in Los Angeles on Monday.
"I want to get this taken care of as soon as possible," said Pagan, who suffered a slight hamstring tear in his first rehab appearance with Class A San Jose on Thursday. He has been absent from San Francisco's lineup with a strained left hamstring since May 25.
One of the outfielders used to fill Pagan's absence is Andres Torres, who returned to the lineup Sunday after bruising his right knee Friday.