MIAMI -- Brandon Belt took batting practice on Wednesday for the first time since having his appendix removed. After doing some soft toss and other baseball activities in Arizona, Belt hit inside in the batting cage and is scheduled to go outside for more BP on Thursday.
"That's the big step," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Belt's return from the disabled list. "If he feels fine doing that, then we're getting close on him. It went well today. We're just building up some strength, getting the timing with the bat and he'll be playing real soon."
The left-handed hitter had his appendix removed and was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 2. Although he was eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday, there's still some work to do before that happens.
Bochy said the plan is for Belt to meet the team in Los Angeles, the final stop on a current 10-game, three-city road trip. He said he would like to have Belt start a couple of Minor League games before bringing him back off the DL.
"I think we're looking at giving him a couple of starts, at least, in the Minor Leagues," Bochy said.
Belt last played on June 1. He is hitting .307 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 31 RBIs in 192 at-bats this season.
Right-handed starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija will begin his rehab on Friday, according to Bochy. Samardzija will be on a 60-65 pitch count for Triple-A Sacramento in a game at Round Rock.
"We'll see how he comes out of this where we're at," Bochy said. "I'd say there's a good chance of [another rehab start]."
On the 10-day DL since May 10 with right shoulder tightness, Samardzija is 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA over eight starts this season for the Giants.
Starting pitcher Johnny Cueto is scheduled to throw another bullpen on Friday in Los Angeles. It will be his second since being transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day DL with right elbow inflammation. Cueto threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday.