Belt to have pins placed in fractured thumb

LOS ANGELES -- First baseman Brandon Belt is expected to have two pins inserted in his fractured left thumb to assist in the healing process, manager Bruce Bochy said on Sunday.

This course of action was recommended on Saturday, when Belt returned to San Francisco and consulted hand specialist Dr. Timothy McAdams.

As of now, Belt's estimated absence remains six weeks. Bochy said that the pins likely will be removed after four weeks, and at that time the Giants should know more clearly how long Belt will be sidelined.

"You'll have a better idea of how much he can do," Bochy said. "That tells us how much he can ramp up his rehab."

Belt was injured in Friday night's series opener against Los Angeles when Dodgers starter Paul Maholm struck him with an 87-mph fastball.