LOS ANGELES -- Though Evan Longoria is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after he undergoes surgery on his fractured left hand next Tuesday, the Giants third baseman said he will strive to beat that estimate and rejoin the team's lineup sooner.
Dr. Stephen Shin, who operated on second baseman Joe Panik's injured left thumb earlier this season, will perform the procedure on Longoria here in Los Angeles.
"Being cautious, he had said it's probably best to say six to eight weeks," said Longoria, who appeared in at least 156 games in each of the previous five seasons. "But I have a hard time telling myself that. So I'm definitely going to push for sometime right after the [All-Star] break."
Longoria's optimism is rooted in his expectation to be able to begin rehabilitating his injury shortly after the operation.
"It shouldn't be too long before I can start the process of strengthening it," he said.
Longoria, who was struck on the back of the left hand by a Dan Straily four-seam fastball to open the fourth inning Thursday, admitted he doesn't know how to handle being sidelined.
"Yesterday I went crazy watching the game," he said.
He acknowledged that Pablo Sandoval and Alen Hanson can handle third base capably.
"It is comforting, knowing that we have guys who are stepping up," said Longoria, who compiled a .246/.278/.434 slash line with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 67 games.
Longoria added that the experience of coping with injuries to other performers, including Panik, Brandon Belt, Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, should further help the Giants adjust to his being sidelined.
"It's a tough spot, but it's nothing that we can't overcome," Longoria said.