Scutaro's season could end prematurely

NEW YORK -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy hinted that injury-plagued second baseman Marco Scutaro might have to end his season prematurely.

Scutaro left Sunday's game at Los Angeles in the middle of the third inning with lower back tightness. But his left pinkie, which was mashed by a pitch from Pittsburgh's Tony Watson on June 11, also has resumed bothering him. That case of "mallet finger" caused Scutaro to miss six games, but he has played pretty regularly since returning.

Scutaro underwent an MRI Tuesday in New York to determine the extent of the finger ailment. Results of the test were not immediately known. But Bochy indicated that he didn't want to risk the possibility of Scutaro aggravating the finger.

Asked if the Giants might decide Scutaro's fate for him, Bochy replied, "We pretty much told him that today."

Bochy and the Giants' medical staff were expected to meet with Scutaro again to discuss his playing status.

Bochy mentioned that while Scutaro's finger could improve with offseason rest, his back might benefit from a customized offseason training regimen.

"A lot of core work will help get his back where it needs to be," Bochy said.

Scutaro, who was replaced by Tony Abreu in Tuesday's lineup, is batting .297 with 31 RBIs in 127 games.