Pagan, Morse likely out vs. Dodgers

SAN DIEGO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy rated the playing status of center fielder Angel Pagan and first baseman-left fielder Michael Morse as "questionable," due to their respective injuries, for the upcoming series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The likely absence of the two regulars leaves San Francisco with a thin roster for the three-game showdown beginning Monday.

"You'd like to be healthy and at full strength down the stretch," Bochy said Saturday. "But we have to focus forward. That's all you can do."

Bochy said Pagan, who started Friday against San Diego after sitting out the three-game series at Arizona with back stiffness, "was pretty sore." Bochy retained hope that the Giants and Pagan might get an encouraging report from team orthopedist Ken Akizuki, who was scheduled to examine the switch-hitter around gametime Saturday.

Bochy acknowledged that Pagan probably will be sidelined for a few days.

"But you know what? We could get good news," Bochy said.

Juan Perez replaced Pagan in center field Saturday night against San Diego. But Bochy hinted that rookie Gary Brown, San Francisco's No. 1 selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, might receive an opportunity to play if Perez continues to struggle offensively. Perez entered Saturday hitless in his last 12 at-bats.

Morse, who missed 15 consecutive games with an strained left oblique, pinch-hit Friday and played two innings in the Giants' 5-0 loss to the Padres before aggravating the injury. Saturday, Gregor Blanco again replaced Morse in left field, while Brandon Belt started his second game in a row at first base.

Bochy mentioned that he and his staff discussed the possibility of playing Belt in left field while two outfield openings exist. However, Belt has not started a Major League game in left field since Sept. 30, 2012.