Knee 'fine,' Pagan gets planned rest

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy expressed confidence Wednesday that center fielder Angel Pagan's sore right knee won't develop into a major concern as the season progresses.

Pagan wasn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Atlanta Braves, but Bochy said the 32-year-old's rest was planned before he experienced discomfort in the knee and left Tuesday night's game in the eighth inning. Bochy also declared Pagan available to pinch-hit.

Pagan has proven to be one of the most indispensable Giants. He entered Wednesday with a .322 batting average, ninth in the National League. His .371 on-base percentage and 1.3 WAR (wins above replacement), according to baseball-reference.com, ranked second among Giants regulars. Only Buster Posey exceeds him in both categories.

"I think he's fine," Bochy said of Pagan, who has started 35 of San Francisco's 41 games. "... An occasional day off is what serves him well. I don't see this being a major issue."

Bochy anticipated that Pagan will be able to play the entire four-game series against Miami beginning Thursday at AT&T Park.