MIAMI -- Joe Panik was placed on the 7-day concussion DL two days after he was hit in the head during a home-plate collision.
The 26-year-old second baseman passed concussion tests Sunday after he was hit in the temple on a throw to the plate during the Giants' 6-2 loss in Game 2 to the Nationals on Sunday. The ball ricocheted off the sliding Panik and into the glove of Nats catcher Matt Wieters, who tagged him out.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Panik felt worse on Tuesday than he did Monday.
"He's still not feeling great," Bochy said.
However, Panik felt fine on Monday, and Bochy noted he was available off the bench for Monday's 8-3 loss to the Marlins. But postgame, Giants GM Bobby Evans hinted the club may place Panik on the shelf for precautionary reasons, especially given he spent time on the DL with concussion-like symptoms last season.
Panik is one of a few Giants dealing with concussion-related injuries. Brandon Belt is still a ways from returning after he was a hit by a pitch on the helmet earlier this month, while Michael Morse is likely out for the season after colliding with Jeff Samardzija on May 29, when tempers flared against the Nationals.
If Panik is placed on the disabled list, outfielder Orlando Calixte will be activated. Bochy said Kelby Tomlinson will man second for the time being until Miguel Gomez (right knee), who will play in rehab games Thursday and Friday, is eligible to come off the 10-day DL this weekend to provide infield depth.
Cueto throws 'pen
Johnny Cueto threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday at Marlins Park. It was the first time the right-hander threw off a mound since he sustained a mild right flexor strain during an Aug. 1 rehab start.
Bochy said Cueto will throw multiple bullpen sessions, ramping up the intensity with each one, before he'll be able to face live hitters.
"We'll wait to see how he comes out of it before we have to schedule when he'll throw to hitters," Bochy said.