McGehee accepts assignment to Triple-A

MILWAUKEE -- Bent on contributing to the Giants this season, third baseman Casey McGehee accepted his assignment to Triple-A Sacramento and was expected to be in the River Cats' lineup Tuesday night against Nashville and former San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito.

Giants general manager Bobby Evans conveyed McGehee's approach of treating the next 10 days or so as Spring Training in an attempt to give himself a fresh start and revive his hitting. McGehee, 32, batted .200 in 35 games with San Francisco and grounded into 12 double plays, which remains tied for the Major League lead.

Manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged the possibility that McGehee, who lost his everyday job to Matt Duffy, could benefit from a "relaxed situation where he can work on some things and get some at-bats."

• Right-hander Matt Cain took a potentially encouraging step toward recovering from his strained flexor tendon by throwing 25 pitches in live batting practice.

"Everything felt really good," said Cain, who used his entire repertiore of pitches while facing Joaquin Arias, Justin Maxwell and Andrew Susac.

Bochy indicated Cain could be close to starting a Minor League injury rehabilitation assignment, depending on how his body responds to Tuesday's session. Cain, who has not pitched during the regular season, probably will throw BP at least once more before testing himself in ballgames.

Susac gave Cain a positive review.

"He looked like he wasn't holding anything back," the backup catcher said. "His curveball was sharp, and Maxwell said he threw him a nasty changeup."