Morse may be out until Giants return home

DENVER -- Giants outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse could be sidelined through the rest of the club's two-city trip with a strained right oblique.

Manager Bruce Bochy called Morse's availability "questionable" for the three-game series at Detroit beginning Friday. Bochy expressed optimism about Morse's chances of returning to action when the Giants open a six-game homestand next Tuesday. "It's a really small area," Bochy said. But he added that the next day or two might indicate whether Morse will return sooner or later.

Morse underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday, which confirmed the nature of his injury.

Morse, 32, has appeared in 130 games, 16 shy of the career high he reached with Washington in 2011. He has started 125 games, including 82 in left field, 39 at first base and four as a designated hitter.

The right-handed hitter is batting .280 with 16 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .477 slugging percentage.