Pence getting closer to return to Giants

HOUSTON -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Hunter Pence's physical condition will be evaluated daily, a likely sign the right fielder soon could be activated from the disabled list.

"Soon" is a relative term. Bochy emphasized that Pence, who's recovering from a fractured left arm, still must play at least several more games on his Minor League injury rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Sacramento before the Giants consider activating him.

"We'll make a call when he's ready," Bochy said.

After homering Tuesday night in four at-bats, Pence received Wednesday off. He's expected to play nine innings Thursday at Las Vegas.

• Right-hander Matt Cain (flexor tendon strain), who threw a light bullpen session Tuesday, is scheduled to repeat the exercise Friday. Right-hander Jake Peavy (back strain), who reported earlier this week to the Giants' Scottsdale, Ariz., training facility, also threw in controlled fashion off a mound Tuesday. Bochy said Peavy's first step once he's ready to throw will be to pitch in extended spring training games.

• Chris Heston's Tuesday night gem (complete game, two hits allowed, no walks and 10 strikeouts) has been matched or exceeded by only two rookie pitchers in the last 25 years: Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood, in his famed 20-strikeout game against Houston on May 6, 1998, and St. Louis righty Shelby Miller against Colorado on May 10, 2013. No Giants rookie has pitched such a game during baseball's modern era (since 1900).