Panik goes on DL; Pagan to rest ailing knee

ATLANTA -- The Giants were without their best 1-2 combination at the top of the batting order Monday -- and could remain that way for days to come -- as second baseman Joe Panik went on the 15-day disabled list with lower back inflammation and center fielder Angel Pagan was scratched from the lineup with right knee soreness.

Given the fickle nature of ailing backs, the Giants will feel fortunate if Panik, 24, can rejoin the team when he's eligible. As for Pagan, manager Bruce Bochy expressed hope the switch-hitting leadoff batter can "freshen up" with a few days' rest.

Ehire Adrianza is expected to receive most of the playing time at second base while Panik heals. Gregor Blanco, who has started 52 games this year, will receive more activity as Pagan mends. That could be a complicated process, since Pagan's left knee also is inflamed.

The Giants filled Panik's spot on the 25-man roster by purchasing the contract of infielder Kelby Tomlinson from Triple-A Sacramento. A non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year, Tomlinson hit .321 while dividing this season between Triple-A and Double-A Richmond.

Video: SF@SEA: Tomlinson hits game-tying two-run triple

Panik's condition wasn't improving, though the 2015 National League All-Star sat out three of the Giants' previous five games.

"It's something that has to be done," said Panik, who's batting .309 while entrenching himself as the club's No. 2 hitter. "... Hopefully I'll be back to normal instead of trying to play the rest of the year at 50 percent."

Panik will return to San Francisco on Tuesday to undergo a battery of tests. Perhaps they'll reveal the source of Panik's discomfort, because he couldn't determine what might have caused his ailment.

"I stay on top of my strength and conditioning," he said.

Panik did recall experiencing an initial twinge July 22 at San Diego when he lined a first-inning double off James Shields.

"I felt a little something, but as a ballplayer you go through a lot of bumps and bruises," Panik said.

With unintentional hilarity, Panik described Tomlinson as "a really nice kid. But he's a competitor." Tomlinson is 3 1/2 months older than Panik.

Tomlinson, a native of Chickasha, Okla., said he hung up on his wife, Tiffany, to take the phone call from general manager Bobby Evans informing him he was going to the Majors.

"This is what you play for and hope for," Tomlinson said.