Pagan gets back to work against Indians

By Barry M. Bloom and Tyler Emerick

March 16, 2014

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- After missing four games with back stiffness, Giants center fielder Angel Pagan returned to the lineup Sunday against the Indians, going hitless in three at-bats and playing five innings in the field.

"I thought he looked great," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He hit the ball well. I thought he looked fine."

Pagan's first two place appearances could've very well ended in hits, but Indians center fielder Michael Bourn caught a sinking liner to rob him in the first and first baseman Bryan LaHair snagged a sharp grounder in the second to steal another knock.

The Giants are hopeful they won't need to ease Pagan back into the mix as Bochy said the outfielder would play again Monday in Tempe vs. the Angels if team athletic trainers give him the green light.

"If he can go, he'll go," Bochy said. "I just have to get the OK."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Boomskie on Baseball. Follow @boomskie on Twitter. Tyler Emerick is an associate reporter for MLB.com.