Scutaro exits with lower back tightness

MIAMI -- Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro won't play Sunday after leaving Saturday's game with lower back tightness. Joaquin Arias replaced Scutaro at second base and at the top of the batting order prior to the bottom of the sixth inning.

"His back tightened up, so that's why I took him out," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He'll be off [Sunday]. He's had ongoing issues this year with it. He got hit in the back [Friday] night, so it tightened up on him."

Scutaro was a late scratch due to a stiff back before San Francisco's game in Washington on Tuesday. He also had back issues during Spring Training and early in the regular season.

The 37-year-old entered Saturday batting .306 with two home runs and 23 RBIs. He went hitless in three at-bats before exiting, snapping a five-game hitting streak during which he batted .364 (8-for-22) with three runs scored.

Scutaro has started 104 of the Giants' 122 games this season.

Bochy believes that the prolonged rest the offseason offers will bring some relief for Scutaro, who has successfully managed to play regularly despite the lingering back issues.

"There's still time to get it to calm down, which it has at times," Bochy said. "He's just gone through moments where it's hard for him to get it to calm down where it's not bothering him. He's older, and he needs his days. You have to be honest with that."

Scutaro grounded out twice and flied out to right field against Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez on Saturday. Scutaro recorded three assists in the field, throwing out three runners at first on groundouts.