Affeldt to ramp up rehab after throwing off mound

SAN FRANCISCO -- Emerging healthy from throwing off a bullpen mound Saturday, Giants left-hander Jeremy Affeldt has put himself on course to pitch a simulated game during the team's Sept. 2-4 series at San Diego, which could precede his reinstatement from the 15-day disabled list.

Affeldt, who hasn't pitched since straining his left groin July 20, will head for the Giants' Scottsdale, Ariz., training complex to intensify his rehabilitation and throw another bullpen session Monday, manager Bruce Bochy said.

Bochy noted that Affeldt, and thus the team, can benefit if he pitches effectively during the season's final weeks, "to have him in the right frame of mind for next year."

Bochy added that right-hander Matt Cain, who went on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a bruised right forearm, also will report to Arizona to hasten his recovery.

Bochy reiterated that the Giants will activate center fielder Angel Pagan from the DL on Sept. 1. The switch-hitter continued his injury rehabilitation assignment Saturday by playing nine innings with Triple-A Fresno, showing no ill effects from his surgically repaired left hamstring.

"He's showing no issues," Bochy said. "He has passed all the tests."