Giants expect Pagan to return Tuesday

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants center fielder Angel Pagan is scheduled to be activated Tuesday when rosters expand to 40 players, general manager Bobby Evans said Friday.

In the meantime, San Francisco transferred Pagan's rehab assignment to Class A Advanced San Jose, where he will continue to work back from tendinitis in his right patella.

Evans said Pagan will play Saturday and Sunday and get a day off Monday before rejoining the team Tuesday.

Keeping Pagan on the disabled list allows the Giants to keep Juan Perez, the team's only healthy backup infielder, on the roster.

"It allows us to not have to make a move," manager Bruce Bochy said. "The tough move would be Perez because he's our extra infielder right now."

It also ensures the Giants' everyday center fielder is absolutely ready to return to the big leagues. Bochy said the extra time will be useful for Pagan.

"I think it could serve him well," Bochy said. "He only played three [rehab] games. ... After talking to Angel, I just thought he could get a few more at-bats to make sure he's good to go."

Pagan was hitting .258 with 26 RBIs and 38 runs prior to landing on the disabled list Aug. 11.

• Brandon Crawford (oblique) was out of the lineup Friday, the third straight game he missed. The Giants plan to rest their All-Star shortstop for the rest of the weekend and hope to have him back when the team begins a three-game series against the Dodgers on Monday.

"This was a mild strain and we think he'll be OK after this series [with the Cardinals]," Bochy said.

• Second baseman Joe Panik continues to progress as he recovers from lower back tightness. He threw, took ground balls and hit off a tee Friday and is scheduled to take batting practice Saturday.

Bochy said there is a "good possibility" the second baseman will join Triple-A Sacramento to begin his rehab Tuesday.