Belt's absence could reach eight weeks

SAN FRANCISCO -- First baseman Brandon Belt had two pins inserted in his fractured left thumb Tuesday without complications.

"He's doing fine. That's all I know," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Belt could be sidelined longer than initially anticipated. The San Jose Mercury News reported that Belt might miss as many as eight weeks, contrary to previous six-week estimates. "It could be a little longer," Bochy acknowledged.

No matter how long Belt is sidelined, Bochy believed that the 26-year-old can make the most of his idle time by watching games closely.

"I think you learn so much," Bochy said. "It's the best visual teaching tool."

Bochy added that he often wished that players could switch roles with him and the coaching staff to broaden their knowledge of the game.

"Sometimes you get stuck in the specifics of your area instead of the concept of winning the ballgame," Bochy said.