SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was held out of the starting lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Reds with right knee inflammation, but an MRI exam came back clean and he was able to pinch-hit in the ninth inning, stoking optimism that he could return to action as soon as Sunday.

Belt’s knee has been prone to soreness this season, and he aggravated it while attempting to run out a ground ball in the eighth inning on Friday night vs. the Reds. Belt’s right knee has been surgically repaired twice, though he said he’s confident the current malady isn’t serious.

“Structurally, everything I think is pretty dang good,” Belt said. “It’s just normal inflammation in there. Got to get it calmed down.”

Pablo Sandoval started at first base in place of Belt on Saturday.