Peavy making progress in rehab stint

PHILADELPHIA -- The Giants feel no need to rush Jake Peavy back into the starting rotation, though the right-hander appears to be just one or two injury rehab starts away from being ready for activation from the disabled list.

Peavy continued his recovery from a strained back with a 69-pitch effort for Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday night. That pitch allotment enabled Peavy to last 4 1/3 innings, during which he surrendered two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out five.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that Peavy likely will be cleared to throw 85 to 90 pitches in his next rehab stint, which probably will occur on Thursday. Depending on Peavy's performance and physical condition after that game, the right-hander could be fit to rejoin the Giants, though he might need another Minor League outing to hone his skills.

Bochy expressed confidence that Peavy will be honest with him and the Giants' medical staff about his readiness.

"He knows he can slow-play this, with the way the starters are throwing," Bochy said. "He wants to make sure he's completely right and can help this ballclub."

Giants starters entered Sunday ranked eighth in the National League with a 4.00 ERA.

Peavy, who signed a two-year, $24 million contract last December, lost both of his early-season starts with the Giants while recording a 9.39 ERA. He hasn't pitched for San Francisco since April 17.

• Bochy said that right fielder Hunter Pence could have played Sunday "if this was September or something." But Bochy hoped to rest Pence completely for another day. That, combined with Monday's scheduled off-day, should enable Pence to rejoin the lineup for Tuesday's series opener at New York.