MIAMI -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy provided a positive update on Monday on Joe Panik, who was hit in the head on Sunday in a home-plate collision.
Panik will likely avoid a stint on the disabled list, as Bochy deemed him as available off the bench or in a double switch. Panik received Monday's game off as a precautionary step, though he would've done so anyway after playing both ends of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals.
"He seems to be doing just fine," Bochy said. "We'll give him another 24 hours to make sure he's OK. Looks good right now."
Panik was hit in the temple on a throw to the plate during the Giants' 6-2 loss in Game 2. The ball ricocheted off the sliding Panik and into the glove of Nats catcher Matt Wieters, who tagged him out.
After the game, Panik passed all of his concussion tests. The Giants wanted to be particularly cautious with him after he hit the DL in 2016 for concussion-like symptoms on a hit-by-pitch.
In 106 games, Panik is hitting .271 with seven homers and 40 RBIs.
Cueto to throw bullpen
Right-hander Johnny Cueto will throw a bullpen "[Tuesday] or maybe the first day we get home," Bochy said.
It's a step up for Cueto, who has been playing catch up to this point. The starter is rehabbing a right mild flexor strain he sustained on Aug. 1, and he hasn't pitched in a game since July 14. He's 6-7 with a 4.59 ERA in 19 starts.
Cain to start Wednesday
Bochy named Player Page for Matt Cain his starter for Wednesday's series finale against the Marlins. The club needed an extra starter following Sunday's doubleheader.
The right-hander's last start came at Oakland on July 31, and he hasn't won a game since May 15, a span of 12 starts (14 games).